prickly

adjective

prick·​ly ˈpri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially : distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
2
: marked by prickling : stinging
a prickly sensation
3
a
: troublesome, vexatious
prickly issues
b
: easily irritated
had a prickly disposition
prickliness noun

Examples of prickly in a Sentence

The plant's leaves are prickly. she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Technically, capers are the flower buds of the Capparis spinosa plant, a prickly shrub commonly found bordering the Mediterranean, in places like Morocco and Greece. Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024 And Chalamet rises to the challenge of capturing the prickly charisma of Dylan’s inchoate, anti-matter, read-between-the-lines personality. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024 Its three-season run ended Sunday night with a finale that centered the series’ two core relationships: the twin-flame friendship between Sam (Bridget Everett) and Joel (Jeff Hiller), and the occasionally prickly bond between Sam and her sister Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison). Jen Chaney, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024 Expect cold aristocrats, family secrets and a protagonist who’s refreshingly prickly and complex. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prickly 

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickly was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near prickly

Cite this Entry

“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

prickly

adjective
prick·​ly ˈprik-lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
-ə-lē
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
prickly plants
2
: marked by slight stinging or tingling
a prickly sensation
prickliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on prickly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!