# hickey

/ˈhɪki/ (US) · /hˈɪki/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hickey
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a red or purple mark on the skin caused by someone kissing or sucking it. It is usually found on the neck and stays for a few days.

For teachers: a temporary red or purple mark on the skin, typically the neck, caused by suction during kissing. Often associated with adolescent or informal contexts.

## Examples

- He wore a scarf to hide a hickey on his neck.
- She felt embarrassed when her colleagues noticed the hickey she had tried to cover with makeup.
- While harmless from a medical perspective, a hickey often carries a social stigma of indiscretion, leading many to use high collars or cosmetics to conceal the bruising.

## Usage notes

- Informal in register; common in North American and Australian English.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.