Meaning of prickly in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    US accent

    UK accent

  1. Classifying Adjective

    prickly

    Definitions

    1. very irritable

    Examples

    • « bristly exchanges between the White House and the press »
    • « he became prickly and spiteful »
    • « witty and waspish about his colleagues »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.

    Examples

    • « a horse with a short bristly mane »
    • « bristly shrubs »
    • « burred fruits »
    • « setaceous whiskers »

    Synonyms

Famous quotes

  • « With copious evidence ranging from Plato's haughtiness to Beethoven's tirades, we may conclude that the most brilliant people of history tend to be a prickly lot. »
    Stephen Jay Gould
  • « And trust, yes, which is important, but that is what I aim towards. Now that is difficult for some people, and with that desire to get things as good as possible, I would say that I'm probably regarded as quite prickly to work with. »
    Jeremy Irons
  • « I've learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you. »
    Sandra Bullock

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