adj
prickly
adj
1
Covered with small sharp points or thorns.
"The prickly cactus was impossible to move without gloves."
2
Easily irritated or quick to take offence; touchy.
"He's a bit prickly about criticism of his work."
How to Use Prickly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither literally covered in sharp points, or figuratively easily annoyed.
Common pairings
a prickly subject
prickly personality
prickly plant
Word Forms
pricklier comparative, more prickly comparative, pricklies plural, prickliest superlative, most prickly superlative
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The _____ cactus was impossible to move without gloves.
Etymology
From prickle + -y.