prickly pear

noun

1

or prickly pear cactus : opuntia

especially : an opuntia with flattened, usually paddle-shaped, jointed stem segments compare cholla, nopal

2

or prickly pear fruit : the pulpy, pear- or egg-shaped, edible, yellow to purplish-red fruit of various prickly pears (such as Opuntia ficus-indica) see tuna entry 2

Illustration of prickly pear

• prickly pear 1

Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Glycerin and plant oils, including coconut and castor oil, help support the barrier, while niacinamide, prickly pear, and green tea smooth texture and boost elasticity. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026

From late summer into fall, during and after the summer rains, people harvest prickly pear fruit, which can be eaten raw or squeezed into juice. — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Dae features a blend of prickly pear seed oil and meadowfoam seed oil to strengthen, hydrate, and nourish hair. — Deanna Pai, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026

As for full-body treatments, the Prickly Pear Sugar Scrub draws on Sonoran Desert botanicals like prickly pear and calendula extract, combined with cane-sugar-rich oils and hydrating body butter, for a thoroughly rejuvenating exfoliation. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prickly pear

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

prickly pear

noun

1

: any of numerous cacti with spines and usually flat stem segments

2

: the pear-shaped sweet edible pulpy fruit of a prickly pear