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adj

pokey

POH-kee
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Pokey (adj) means Small and cramped. Example: “The flat had one pokey bedroom barely big enough for a single bed.”

adj
1
Small and cramped.
"The flat had one pokey bedroom barely big enough for a single bed."
2
Slow-moving.
"We got stuck behind a pokey tractor on the country lane."
noun
1
Prison (informal).
"He spent a night in the pokey after the bar fight."

How to use pokey

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCramped or slow — or, as slang, jail.

When to use it

The "prison" sense is informal American slang, usually said with "the": "in the pokey."

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Word forms

Plural
pokeys
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The flat had one _____ bedroom barely big enough for a single bed.

Antonyms

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Rhymes for pokey

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Frequently asked questions

What does “pokey” mean?
The word “pokey” means small and cramped. In plain terms, cramped or slow — or, as slang, jail.
How do you pronounce “pokey”?
“Pokey” is pronounced POH-kee (/ˈpoʊ.ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “pokey” in a sentence?
Here is “pokey” used in a sentence: “The flat had one pokey bedroom barely big enough for a single bed.”
What is another word for “pokey”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pokey” include in the poke.
What part of speech is “pokey”?
Depending on how it is used, “pokey” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “pokey” have?
“Pokey” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small and cramped.

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