# prick

/ˈpɹɪk/ (US) · /pɹˈɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prick
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to pierce slightly

verb · CEFR B2

to make a very small hole in something with a sharp object like a needle.

For teachers: to pierce or puncture a surface slightly with a sharp, pointed instrument.

- The nurse will prick your finger to get a small drop of blood for the test.
- The tailor had to prick the heavy leather multiple times with an awl before he could pass the waxed thread through.

Usage: Often used with a direct object representing the body part or material being pierced.

### 2. animal ears

verb · CEFR B2

when an animal moves its ears upward to listen carefully.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Commonly appears in the phrasal form 'prick up'.

### 3. gardening

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually functions as the phrasal verb 'prick out'.

### 4. a small hole or pain

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. rude person

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar

a very rude or annoying man.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: This is a highly offensive term in many contexts; learners should be aware of its strength before using it.

### 6. penis

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar

a vulgar word for the penis.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He was being a real prick at the party last night.
- I decided to quit my job because my boss was such a prick to everyone in the office.
- The protagonist's transformation from a self-absorbed prick into a sympathetic figure provides the emotional core of the novel's second act.

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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.