spiky
3 synonyms for spiky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Covered with sharp points; having spikes.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Covered with sharp points; having spikes.
“The cactus had a mass of spiky needles.”
How to use spiky
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
spiky hair
a spiky personality
spiky leaves
Etymology
Formed from spike ("kind of inflorescence in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis") and the suffix -y (forming adjectives with the sense "having the quality of"). Spike itself comes from Middle English spik, spike ("ear of grain; clove of garlic; plant having spikes; plant of the genus Val...
Full origin of spiky →Frequently asked questions
What does “spiky” mean?
The word “spiky” means covered with sharp points; having spikes. In plain terms, full of sharp points, or (of a person) touchy and abrasive.
How do you pronounce “spiky”?
“Spiky” is pronounced SPEYE-kee (/ˈspaɪki/ in IPA).
How do you use “spiky” in a sentence?
Here is “spiky” used in a sentence: “The cactus had a mass of spiky needles.”
What part of speech is “spiky”?
“Spiky” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “spiky” have?
“Spiky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered with sharp points; having spikes.
