Etymology
Origin of barky
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the show, barky boats is a game that takes place on a tiny stream with tree bark, but there’s no water here.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026
Sure, the Hungarian herding breed can be stubborn and barky, Cheimis said, but Csoki also looks after her geese and chickens at home in Kingfield, Maine, even lying down next to the goslings.
From Seattle Times • May 13, 2024
Try not to be too snarky and barky.
From New York Times • Sep. 6, 2022
An IPA like a pine forest: the bitter, barky bite of resinous hops honed by roasted grain to a sharp edge.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2018
Lord Fredrick was in the midst of vigorously scolding some unfortunate person; his voice was hoarse and froggy, and now and then he made an odd, sneezy, barky sort of sound.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.