Learn about the difference between the homophones: ticks and tics

Definitions

ticks

Ticks is a noun that refers to small, blood-sucking arachnids that attach themselves to animals and humans.

Example

I found a tick on my leg after hiking in the woods.

Example

Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease.

tics

Tics is a noun that refers to sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that some people make, often due to a neurological condition called Tourette's syndrome.

Example

He has tics that cause him to blink frequently.

Example

Her vocal tics include clearing her throat and making clicking sounds.

Tips To Remember the Differences

Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:

- To remember the difference between ticks and tics, think of the letter 'k' in ticks as standing for 'insect'. - Tics has no 'k', so it must be the word for the neurological condition.