spiky
Spiky (adjective) means Covered with sharp points; having spikes. Example: “The cactus had a mass of spiky needles.”
How to use spiky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFull of sharp points, or (of a person) touchy and abrasive.
Word forms
spikier comparative, more spiky comparative, spikier comparative, more spiky comparative, spikiest superlative, most spiky superlative, spikiest superlative, most spiky superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cactus had a mass of _____ needles.
Etymology
From spike (“kind of inflorescence in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis”) + -y (suffix forming adjectives with the sense “having the quality of”). Spike is derived from Middle English spik, spike (“ear of grain; clove of garlic; plant having spikes; plant of the genus Valeriana, especially Valeriana officinalis; plant of the genus Lavandula, lavender”), from Latin spīca (“ear, head, or spike of grain; plant spike”) (feminine) (also rarely spīcum (neuter) and spīcus (masculine)), possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *spey- (“long; sharp; thin”).
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.