prick

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. when an animal moves its ears upward to listen carefully.

v. to erect or raise the ears into a pointed position, typically in response to a sound; usually followed by 'up'.

“The dog pricked up its ears when it heard the front door open.”

“The horse pricked its ears forward, sensing a movement in the tall grass long before the rider noticed anything.”

C1 · Advanced Cooking Technical

v. to move small young plants into bigger pots or holes in the ground.

v. to transplant seedlings into small holes made in soil, typically to give them more room to grow.

“It is time to prick out the tomato seedlings into individual pots.”

“After the first true leaves appear, you should carefully prick out the seedlings to prevent overcrowding in the seed tray.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a tiny hole made by something sharp, or the quick sting you feel from it.

n. a small perforation or the sharp, transient sensation of being punctured.

“You might feel a slight prick in your arm when the needle goes in.”

“The sudden prick of a thorn on her thumb made her drop the rose she was pruning.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Vulgar

n. a very rude or annoying man.

n. a vulgar pejorative used to describe an unpleasant, arrogant, or contemptible male.

“He was being a real prick at the party, insulting everyone he talked to.”

“The manager was widely regarded as a prick due to his habit of belittling subordinates in front of the entire office.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Slang · Vulgar

n. a vulgar word for the penis.

n. a vulgar slang term for the penis.

“The graffiti on the wall showed a crude drawing of a prick.”

“The script was censored because it contained several vulgar references to the male anatomy, including the word prick.”