Skip to content

Prickly Definition & Meaning

prickly
adjective
  1. very irritable; "bristly exchanges between the White House and the press"; "he became prickly and spiteful"; "witty and waspish about his colleagues"
  2. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.; "a horse with a short bristly mane"; "bristly shrubs"; "burred fruits"; "setaceous whiskers"

"Prickly" in song lyrics

See how prickly is used in real songs:

  • "outer ear feels prickly"
    AOL — AOL

Usage tips for "prickly"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "prickly" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for prickly to find words that pair well.

Use "prickly" in a verse

Now that you know what "prickly" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does prickly mean?
very irritable; "bristly exchanges between the White House and the press"; "he became prickly and spiteful"; "witty and waspish about his colleagues" having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.; "a horse with a short bristly mane"; "bristly shrubs"; "burred fruits"; "setaceous whiskers"
What part of speech is prickly?
Prickly is an adjective.
How many definitions does prickly have?
Prickly has 2 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

Look up another word