adjective
icky
IH-kee
Icky (adjective) means Unpleasantly sticky, slimy, or disgusting. Example: “There was something icky stuck to the bottom of the seat.”
adjective
1
Unpleasantly sticky, slimy, or disgusting.
"There was something icky stuck to the bottom of the seat."
"The soup turned an icky grey colour after sitting out overnight."
2
Overly sentimental or emotionally cloying.
"The film's ending was a bit icky, with everyone hugging and crying."
How to use icky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGross or unpleasant to touch or think about — or, for a story/film, over-the-top sappy.
When to use it
Casual, often used by or around children, but common in adult informal speech too.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- ickier
- Superlative
- ickiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was something _____ stuck to the bottom of the seat.
Etymology
From 1930s American slang, likely a baby-talk form of "sick" filtered through the earlier term "icky-boo".
Related words
Rhymes for icky
See all rhymes for 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.
