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

Go Greek with roasted tomatoes and crispy chickpeas with lemon-pepper dressing and a cucumber-olive salad, then hop to Haiti for pork cheeks with epis seasoning and prickly pikliz slaw. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025

But Bennett is up to something odder and pricklier. —Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025

Robert is an accomplished but headstrong gastroenterologist whose demeanor makes Martin’s prickly bedside manner seem warm by comparison. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025

Glenn took offense to the question, giving a prickly response. —Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 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