# ticked

/ˈtɪkt/ (US) · /tˈɪkt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ticked
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

feeling very annoyed or angry about something. You use this when someone has done something to upset you.

For teachers: feeling annoyed, irritated, or angry. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'get' or 'be'; frequently followed by the preposition 'off' in its full phrasal form.

## Examples

- He was really ticked when they cancelled his flight.
- She was clearly ticked that no one had bothered to inform her about the change in the meeting time.
- While he maintained a professional exterior during the presentation, it was obvious to his colleagues that he was deeply ticked by the constant interruptions from the back of the room.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was ticked with the news." but "He was ticked about the news." — When expressing the cause of the anger, 'about' or 'at' is used rather than 'with'.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'get', or 'look'. Frequently functions as a shortened form of the participial adjective 'ticked off'.

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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.