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 of prickly

• 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

Tension between Ebro’s performative bullishness and the evolving face of rap led to prickly radio theater. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

The performances Arnett and Dern give here have a quiet, prickly grace. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Dec. 2025

Gehry then pulled out a pair of scissors, cutting up a pricklier shape, like a strange crown. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2025

At a distance many of these plants appear fluffy, with a bushiness that upon closer inspection reveals hundreds, likely thousands, of prickly spines. —Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 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