[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/prickly/)

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# prickly

adjective (prickly, pricklier, prickliest)

«prickly» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Covered in sharp points or prickles, like a hedgehog, cactus or holly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#m1)
2. Giving a stinging or tingling feeling: a prickly jumper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#m2)
3. (of a person) Easily annoyed or upset; grumpy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#m3)
4. (of a problem) Hard to deal with and likely to cause arguments. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science, prickly plants (cactus, gorse, holly, thistles) use prickles to protect themselves from being eaten; hedgehogs and porcupines have spines. In stories, a prickly character is touchy and grumpy. Health: «prickly heat» is an itchy rash in hot weather. Phrases: «prickly heat», «prickly pear», «prickly as a hedgehog», «a prickly subject».

### Examples

- The hedgehog is prickly so foxes leave it alone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x1)
- Be careful, the cactus is very prickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x2)
- This wool jumper feels prickly on my neck. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x3)
- Grandad gets prickly when he is tired. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x4)
- Money can be a prickly subject. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x5)
- Holly leaves are prickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x6)
- She got prickly heat on holiday in Spain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/#x7)

### Note

Comparatives: pricklier, prickliest. Noun «prickle» (a sharp point); «prickliness». Related: «prick» (to make a tiny hole). Trap: «prickly» describes the thing or person, «prickle» is the spine itself.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «prickly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prickly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«prickly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/prickly.html) on Mova free.