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

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# spiky

adjective (spiky, spikier, spikiest); noun spikiness

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

## Everyday

1. Something spiky has many sharp points sticking out: a spiky cactus, a spiky shell. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#m1)
2. Spiky hair is stiff and sticks up in points. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#m2)
3. (informal) A spiky person is easily annoyed and unfriendly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science lessons spiky plants and animals (hedgehogs, cacti, sea urchins) use spikes to protect themselves; in safety lessons spiky things can hurt you. In stories it describes looks and moods. Phrases: spiky hair, a spiky ball, spiky leaves.

### Examples

- Hedgehogs have spiky backs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x1)
- Don't touch the cactus, it's very spiky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x2)
- He used gel to make his hair spiky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x3)
- The conker case is green and spiky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x4)
- A spiky shape has lots of points, like a star. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x5)
- Grandpa gets a bit spiky when he is tired. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x6)
- The sea urchin is the spikiest thing in the rock pool. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spiky/#x7)

### Note

Comparative: spikier, spikiest. From «spike» (a sharp point) + «-y». Similar words: prickly (with small sharp points), pointy, sharp. «Prickly» also means easily annoyed.

## On Mova

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