prick
prick Lexical Profile
prick Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of piercing something with a fine, sharp point, or the small hole or mark made by such an action.
"The nurse warned that the blood test would require only a quick prick of the finger."
A contemptible, obnoxious, or arrogant person (used as a vulgar slang insult).
"Everyone in the office agreed that the new supervisor was acting like an arrogant prick."
A sudden, sharp sensation of physical pain or mental distress, such as guilt or remorse.
"He felt a sudden prick of conscience after speaking so harshly to his colleague."
• verb
To make a small, shallow hole in something with a fine, sharp point.
"Be sure to prick the skin of the potatoes with a fork before baking them."
To cause a sharp, stinging physical sensation or a sudden pang of mental distress.
"Tears began to prick her eyes as she read the farewell letter."
To raise the ears erect when on the alert, or to become suddenly attentive (often used with 'up').
"The dog pricked up its ears at the sound of footsteps on the gravel path."
Word Nuance & Usage
While standard as a verb meaning to pierce lightly and as a noun for a small puncture, the word also has a widespread vulgar slang sense referring to a contemptible person or male anatomy, so speakers often substitute 'pinprick' or 'puncture' in formal settings to avoid ambiguity.
• Rhymes for prick
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'prica' (a sharp point, dot, or puncture) and 'prician' (to pierce or sting), of West Germanic origin and related to Middle Dutch 'prik'.