prick

1 of 2

noun

ˈprik 

1

: a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed instrument

2

a

: a pointed instrument or weapon

b

: a sharp projecting organ or part

3

: an instance of pricking or the sensation of being pricked: such as

a

: a nagging or sharp feeling of remorse, regret, or sorrow

b

: a slight sharply localized discomfort

the prick of a needle

4

vulgar : penis

5

slang, vulgar : a spiteful or contemptible man often having some authority

prick

2 of 2

verb

pricked; pricking; pricks

transitive verb

1

: to pierce slightly with a sharp point

2

: to affect with anguish, grief, or remorse

doubt began to prick him

—Philip Hale

3

: to ride, guide, or urge on with or as if with spurs : goad

4

: to mark, distinguish, or note by means of a small mark

5

: to trace or outline with punctures

6

: to remove (a young seedling) from the seedbed to another suitable for further growth

—usually used with out

7

: to cause to be or stand erect

a dog pricking its ears

intransitive verb

1

a

: to prick something or cause a pricking sensation

b

: to feel discomfort as if from being pricked

2

a

: to urge a horse with the spur

b

: to ride fast

3

: thrust

4

: to become directed upward : point

Phrases

prick up one's ears

: to listen intently

Synonyms

Noun

• puncture

Examples of prick in a Sentence

Noun

She felt a prick as the thorn jabbed her foot.

He felt the prick of the needle.

She felt a prick of jealousy.

Verb

The nurse pricked my finger and squeezed out a drop of blood.

The sharp shells pricked the bottoms of our feet.

She was pricked by doubt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Twelve suspects have been detained after 145 festival go-ers reported being pricked while at the Fête de la Musique, according to France 24 with AFP news. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025

The doctor propped my chin in her slender hand, pricked the top of my nose twice, massaged the area for a few moments, and then added an additional drop to the side of my nose to help disguise the asymmetry. —Alice Gregory, Vogue, 4 June 2025

Darker pigments like soot were pricked into their skin with needles tied together. —Serena Billett, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2025

In the TikTok video, Kamilla Cecilie, 23, can be seen laughing with her friend and teacher while pricking her skin to draw blood and measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in it. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English prikke, from Old English prica; akin to Middle Dutch pric prick

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for prick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• lick
• mic
• nick

Kids Definition

prick

1 of 2 noun

ˈprik 

1

: a mark or small wound made by a pointed instrument

2

: something sharp or pointed

3

: an instance of pricking

4

: the sensation of being pricked

prick

2 of 2 verb

1

: to pierce slightly with a sharp point

2

: to have or cause a feeling of or as if of being pricked

3

: to point forward or upward

the dog's ears pricked up at the sound