# icky

/ˈaɪki/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/icky
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

disgusting or unpleasant in a way that makes you feel like you want to wash your hands. You use this for things that are gross or make you feel sick.

For teachers: causing a sense of disgust or physical revulsion.

## Examples

- I don't want to touch that icky green mold.
- The kitchen was filled with an icky smell that made everyone lose their appetite for dinner.
- While some people find fermented foods delicious, others find the strong, pungent aroma of the local cheese market absolutely icky and prefer to avoid it entirely.

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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.