prickle

1 of 2

noun

prick·​le ˈpri-kəl 

1

: a fine sharp process or projection

especially : a sharp pointed emergence arising from the epidermis or cortex (see cortex sense 3a) of a plant (such as a rose or raspberry) compare spine, thorn

2

: a prickling or tingling sensation

prickle

2 of 2

verb

prickled; prickling ˈpri-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to prick slightly

2

: to produce prickles in

intransitive verb

: to cause or feel a prickling, tingling, or stinging sensation

Examples of prickle in a Sentence

Noun

She felt a prickle of fear as the stranger came closer to her.

He felt the familiar prickle of excitement as the game began.

Verb

The burrs were prickling my arm.

The wool sweater prickled my skin.

My skin prickled with fear.

The hair prickled on the back of my neck.

She felt a prickling sensation in her shoulder.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Was that a prickle on your scalp? — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2026

Both the plant's stems and leaflets have small barbs and wading through a sea of these prickles is not fun, Drews said. — Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Dec. 2025

Verb

Whitefish salad prickling with chile and festooned with great tufts of cilantro. — Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

An awareness of absent ancestors prickles through her writing, but at the same time, her fictional worlds feel solid and present. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English prikle, from Old English pricle; akin to Old English prica prick

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for prickle

• druidical
• fickle
• mickle
• nickel
• nickle
• nicol
• pickle
• sickle
• tickle
• trickle
• microscopical
• ventricle

Kids Definition

prickle

1 of 2 noun

prick·​le ˈprik-əl 

1

: a small sharp point or a sharp pointed part (as a thorn on a plant) that sticks out

2

: a slight stinging or tingling sensation

prickle

2 of 2 verb

prickled; prickling ˈprik-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to prick slightly

2

: to cause or feel a slight stinging or tingling sensation