English Reference
Adjective

prickly

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈpɹɪkɫi/ UK /pɹˈɪkli/ prick·ly

adj.covered with sharp points that can hurt you. It also describes a person who gets angry or annoyed very easily.

adj.covered with small, sharp thorns or spines; figuratively describes a person who is easily offended or difficult to deal with due to a defensive temperament.


SIMPLE

The cactus is very prickly, so do not touch it.

CONTEXTUAL

He has a prickly personality and often takes offense at even the most minor suggestions from his colleagues.

COMPLEX

The negotiator's prickly demeanor made it difficult for the two parties to find common ground, as he interpreted every compromise as a personal slight.

Usage

Can be used literally for physical textures or figuratively for social interactions; often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'become', or 'seem'.

The prickly stalks are peeled, cooked and used as an ingredient in stews or paired with certain sauces.

The Local· 28 Aug 2026

From prickle + -y.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated