ick

American  

[ik] / ɪk /

interjection

1. (used as an expression of distaste or repugnance.)

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noun

1. Informal. something or someone that causes feelings of distaste or repugnance.

   If your dog has an eye infection, regularly wipe the ick from his eyes and nose with a clean, damp, warm washcloth.

   It's a big ick for me when someone is rude to waitstaff.

2. Slang. the ick, a sudden feeling of disgust or dislike, often in response to the actions of another person.

   I once got the ick when a guy I was dating used an emoji that annoyed me.

3. Chiefly British Informal. the ick, an illness, especially one such as a cold or flu.

   It seems like everyone in the office is coming down with the ick at once.

Usage

What does ick mean? Ick is used to show disgust or repugnance, as in Ick! That's so gross. As a noun phrase, the ick is also an informal term for sickness or other queasy feelings. How is ick pronounced?[ ik ]What are some other forms of ick?

• icky
• the ick
• ick factor

Etymology

Origin of ick

First recorded in 1965–70; of expressive origin

Example Sentences

This was another piece of the puzzle when it came to maintaining the horror and ick factor from the original movie.

From Salon • Jul. 21, 2025

“Aside from the ick factor, we all had the exact same thought,” he says.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 22, 2024

Speaking on Good Morning Ulster Ms Cox said there is a societal "ick" when it comes to treating gynaecological issues,

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2023

However, the musician provided context about the theory, which had taken the ick level of the sisters’ escalating drama to new heights.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2023

And it somehow vacuums up all the ick and yuck between us, all my mean cockroachy thoughts too.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson