# spikes

/ˈspaɪks/ (US) · /spˈaɪks/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sharp points

noun · CEFR B1

long, thin, sharp objects or points.

For teachers: thin, pointed objects or projections, often made of metal or wood.

- The top of the iron fence was covered in sharp spikes to keep people out.
- The biologist noted that the desert plant had evolved long, needle-like spikes to protect its water-rich interior from local herbivores.

### 2. sudden increases

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, large increase in something, like a price or a temperature.

For teachers: a sharp, sudden increase in a value, quantity, or intensity, often represented as a peak on a graph.

- There was a sudden spike in electricity prices during the cold winter months.
- The data revealed a significant spike in web traffic immediately following the celebrity's endorsement of the product on social media.

### 3. athletic shoes

noun · CEFR B2

special shoes with metal points on the bottom used for running or sports.

For teachers: athletic footwear equipped with pointed projections on the sole to provide traction on grass or tracks.

- The runner put on her spikes before stepping onto the track for the race.
- The sprinter adjusted his spikes carefully, ensuring the metal pins were tight enough to provide maximum grip during the explosive start.

### 4. to increase sharply

verb · CEFR B2

to rise very quickly to a high level.

For teachers: to experience a sudden and significant increase in value, rate, or intensity.

- The temperature is expected to spike this afternoon, so stay in the shade.
- Market analysts observed that oil prices tend to spike whenever geopolitical tensions rise in the producing regions.

### 5. to add something to a drink

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to secretly add alcohol or a drug to someone's drink.

For teachers: to add a strong or illicit substance, such as alcohol or a drug, to a drink without the consumer's knowledge.

- He didn't realize someone had spiked the fruit punch with vodka.
- The safety campaign warned students to never leave their glasses unattended in case someone tried to spike their drinks.

## Examples

- The runner wore shoes with metal spikes for better grip.
- The electricity company warned customers about potential spikes in energy prices during the winter months.
- The data revealed several unexpected spikes in website traffic, which the engineering team eventually traced back to a viral social media post in a different time zone.

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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.