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

The round, white, grape-sized blooms are prickly, too, but that doesn’t keep bees and other pollinators from finding nectar in hundreds of tiny flowers within. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026

As Hollis’s Type A college bestie and sardonic childhood soul mate, respectively, Regina Hall and Chloë Sevigny make prickly women lovable. — Judy Berman, Time, 6 July 2026

The normally prickly and unsympathetic Harriet Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) switches gears into hero mode, rounding up the town's men to scour the countryside for the children who've become trapped. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

At school, there are prickly Principal Anderson (Matt Oberg) and Donna (Amy Pietz, nice to see her), his good-hearted secretary, a champion of needy teens and, it will be revealed, Liz’s mother. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

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