noun
hickey
HIHK-ee
Hickey (noun) means a bruise-like mark left on the skin from kissing or sucking, typically on the neck. Example: “He wore a scarf to hide the hickey on his neck.”
noun
1
A bruise-like mark left on the skin from kissing or sucking, typically on the neck.
"He wore a scarf to hide the hickey on his neck."
"When it comes to hickeys, the best I can tell you is that a lot of girls cover them with makeup or a turtleneck shirt. But let me close with a final thought. Never be ashamed of your hickeys. Show them off proudly as badges of love."
— William Cane, The Art of Kissing (2005)
2
An unnamed small object or gadget whose proper name has been forgotten.
"Hand me that little hickey on the workbench, would you?"
How to use hickey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly, a love bite left on the skin — though informally it can also mean "thingamajig."
When to use it
Casual, everyday word in both senses.
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Word forms
- Plural
- hickeys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a scarf to hide the _____ on his neck.
Etymology
Origin unknown.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hickey
See all rhymes for hickey →Frequently asked questions
What does “hickey” mean?
The word “hickey” means a bruise-like mark left on the skin from kissing or sucking, typically on the neck. In plain terms, most commonly, a love bite left on the skin — though informally it can also mean "thingamajig.".
How do you pronounce “hickey”?
“Hickey” is pronounced HIHK-ee (/ˈhɪk.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “hickey” in a sentence?
Here is “hickey” used in a sentence: “He wore a scarf to hide the hickey on his neck.”
What part of speech is “hickey”?
“Hickey” is a noun.
How many meanings does “hickey” have?
“Hickey” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bruise-like mark left on the skin from kissing or sucking, typically on the neck.
