pricks; pricked; pricking
1
: to make a very small hole in (something) with a sharp pointed object
She pricked her finger with a pin. = The pin pricked her (finger).
The nurse pricked my finger and squeezed out a drop of blood.
2
a
: to cause a sharp, painful feeling on or in (part of your body)
The sharp shells pricked the bottoms of our feet.
b
literary
Note: If tears prick your eyes, you begin to feel tears in your eyes.
3
: to make (someone) feel guilt, shame, regret, etc.
She was pricked by doubt/guilt/jealousy.
The photographs of the flood victims pricked my conscience [=made me feel guilty] and I knew I had to do something to help.
His conscience pricked him. [=he felt guilty; he felt that he had done something wrong]
4
of an animal
: to cause (the ears) to point upward
The dog pricked (up) its ears at the sound.
The dog's ears pricked up at the sound.
—used figuratively of peopleHer ears pricked (up) when they said her name. = She pricked up her ears [=she started to listen carefully] when they said her name.
plural pricks
1
: an act of making a small hole in something with a sharp pointed object
The nurse gave my finger a (little) prick (with a needle) and squeezed out a drop of blood.
2
a
: a feeling of pain caused by being touched by something sharp or pointed
She felt a prick as the thorn jabbed her foot.
He felt the prick of the needle.
b
: a slight, sharp feeling of sadness, regret, etc.
She felt a prick of jealousy.
He felt a prick of conscience. [=a feeling of guilt]
3
informal + offensive
: penis
4
informal + offensive
: a very bad or unpleasant man
Cite this Entry
“Prick.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/prick. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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