Definition Synonyms
Definition of prickly - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
naturecovered with sharp points or thorns
- The cactus is prickly to touch.
2.
emotioneasily irritated or annoyed
- He became prickly when asked about his past.
3.
difficult situationdifficult or complicated to handle
- The negotiations were prickly and took hours to resolve.
4.
sensationcausing a stinging or tingling sensation
- The sweater was prickly against her skin.
Expressions with prickly
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individual with a difficult or challenging personality
Dealing with his prickly character requires patience.
easily annoyed or sensitive about a topic
She is rather prickly about that subject in meetings.
easily irritated or annoyed by others
She can be prickly as a hedgehog when stressed.
having leaves with sharp points or edges
The prickly-leafed holly bush deterred the deer.
edible fruit from a spiny cactus
She made a delicious jam from prickly pear.
having leaves with sharp points or edges
The prickly-leaved bush scratched my arms as I walked past..
plant with large white or yellow flowers and prickly leaves
In tropical America, prickly poppies are widespread.
skin problem from blocked sweat ducts in hot weather
He got prickly heat after running in the sun.
plant with spiny flat joints and oval fruit
The prickly pear cactus grows in dry regions.
Aralia spinosa native to eastern North America
Aralia spinosa is often called prickly ash.
wild lettuce with spiny leaves, often considered a weed
Prickly lettuce grows wild in many fields.
Origin of prickly
Old English, pricel (point)
Terms with prickly included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
plant
evergreen shrub with red berries and prickly leaves
plant dispersal
small, prickly seed case that sticks to clothing
edible fruit
fruit of the prickly pear cactus, sweet and juicy
botany
plant of the Rubus genus with prickly shrubs
plant
wild prickly bush producing blackberries
plant
fruit of the prickly pear cactus
plants
prickly pear cactus native to Mexico
botany
prickly plant with sharp leaves and purple flowers
botany
European wild rose with prickly stems
botany
annual plant with prickly stems found in various regions
desert botany
type of cactus with edible fruit, also known as prickly pear
flora
prickly plant with purple flowers, often seen as a weed
plants
weed with prickly leaves and milky juice
botany
plant with prickly flower heads
plant
prickly weed with blue flowers
botany
species of prickly pear cactus
plants
prickly seed pods that stick to clothes and animal fur
roadside plant
prickly weed with blue flowers, naturalized in the US
wild legume
tropical tree with large prickly pods of seeds
plant
north american nightshade with prickly foliage
wetland plant
plant with yellow flowers and prickly fruits
texture
having a rough or prickly surface
texture
resembling a burr in being prickly or rough
botany
plant with prickly stems found in various regions
Examples of prickly in a sentence
The bush was prickly, making it hard to pick the berries. Her prickly demeanor made it hard to approach her. He was prickly all morning after a sleepless night. The project became prickly with unexpected challenges. His prickly demeanor made collaboration tough. The prickly sensation made her wince.
His skin felt prickly after the swim.
View all translations of prickly
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:épineux, irritable, ...
- German:stachelig, kratzbürstig, ...
- Italian:spinoso, irritabile, ...
- Spanish:espinoso, irritable, ...
- Portuguese:espinhoso, irritadiço, ...
- Chinese:多刺的, 易怒的, ...
- Japanese:とげとげしい, 苛立ちやすい, ...
- Arabic:شَوْكِي, سَرِيعُ الغَضَب, ...
- Hebrew:קוֹצָנִי, רַגְזָן, ...
- Russian:колючий, раздражительный, ...
- Ukrainian:колючий, дратівливий, ...
- Hindi:काँटेदार, चिड़चिड़ा, ...
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