prickly
prickly Lexical Profile
prickly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Covered in or having many small, sharp points, thorns, or spines.
"She wore thick gardening gloves to trim the prickly rose bushes along the fence."
Easily irritated, offended, or provoked; touchy and difficult to deal with.
"The director can be rather prickly when anyone questions his artistic vision."
Causing or characterized by a tingling, stinging, or itching sensation on the skin.
"The heavy wool sweater felt hot and prickly against his neck."
Requiring careful handling because of complexity, controversy, or sensitivity.
"The committee spent hours debating the prickly issue of budget reductions."
• Rhymes for prickly
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Recorded in Middle English, derived from the noun 'prickle' (from Old English pricel, meaning a sharp point or goad) combined with the adjectival suffix '-y'.