icky
7 synonyms for icky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Unpleasantly sticky, slimy, or disgusting.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From 1930s American slang, likely a baby-talk form of "sick" filtered through the earlier term "icky-boo".
Full origin of icky →Frequently asked questions
What does “icky” mean?
The word “icky” means unpleasantly sticky, slimy, or disgusting. In plain terms, gross or unpleasant to touch or think about — or, for a story/film, over-the-top sappy.
How do you pronounce “icky”?
“Icky” is pronounced IH-kee (/ˈɪki/ in IPA).
How do you use “icky” in a sentence?
Here is “icky” used in a sentence: “There was something icky stuck to the bottom of the seat.”
What part of speech is “icky”?
“Icky” is an adjective.
Where does the word “icky” come from?
The word “icky” dates back to around 1930. From 1930s American slang, likely a baby-talk form of "sick" filtered through the earlier term "icky-boo".
How many meanings does “icky” have?
“Icky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unpleasantly sticky, slimy, or disgusting.
