prickly

adjective
UK: /ˈprɪk.li/
US: /ˈprɪk.li/

  1. Having sharp points like thorns or needles.

    1. The cactus is very prickly so be careful.
    2. I couldn't touch the prickly plant because it hurt my hands.

  2. Experiencing an uncomfortable feeling on the skin; itchy.

    1. This wool sweater makes my skin feel prickly.
    2. After sitting in the sun my skin felt hot and prickly all over.

  3. Easily annoyed or offended; touchy.

    1. He gets prickly if you ask about his past.
    2. She became prickly when I mentioned her job situation at work.

Synonyms

touchy spiky testy irritable thorny
prickly noun

  1. A prickly plant or shrub.

    1. The garden was full of prickly bushes.
    2. I tried to avoid the prickly things when I walked through forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "prickly" in English means: Having sharp points like thorns or needles., Experiencing an uncomfortable feeling on the skin; itchy., Easily annoyed or offended; touchy..

The phonetic transcription of "prickly" is /ˈprɪk.li/ in British English and /ˈprɪk.li/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "prickly": touchy, spiky, testy, irritable, thorny.

Example usage of "prickly": "The cactus is very prickly so be careful.". More examples on the page.