prickly

adjective

prick·​ly ˈpri-k(ə-)lē 

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

Synonyms

• irritating

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

The environment can get prickly. —Bryan Price, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Properly constructed, a Martinez is plush with Italian vermouth but still prickly with gin, enjoying the diamond-clarity of a Martini but with the silken luxuriousness of a Manhattan. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025

Beleaguered American chipmaker Intel is finding itself in slightly less prickly situations lately. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025

Milk thistle is a prickly plant characterized by purple flowers and distinct white veins. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prickly

• prickly ash
• prickly heat
• prickly pear
• prickly pear cactus
• prickly pear fruit
• prickly poppy

Rhymes for prickly

• quickly
• sickly
• thickly

Kids Definition

prickly

adjective

prick·​ly ˈprik-lē 

-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