This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
prick
[ prik ]
/ prɪk /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Idioms about prick
kick against the pricks, to resist incontestable facts or authority; protest uselessly: In appealing the case again, you will just be kicking against the pricks.
prick up one's ears, to become very alert; listen attentively: The reporter pricked up his ears at the prospect of a scoop.
Origin of prick
before 1000; (noun) Middle English prike;Old English prica, price dot, point; (v.) Middle English priken,Old English prician; cognate with Dutch, Low German prik point
OTHER WORDS FROM prick
pricker, nounprick·ing·ly, adverbun·pricked, adjectiveWords nearby prick
price support, price tag, price war, pricey, Prichard, prick, prick-eared, pricker, pricket, pricking, prickle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prick in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prick
prick
/ (prɪk) /
verb (mainly tr)
noun
Word Origin for prick
Old English prica point, puncture; related to Dutch prik, Icelandic prik short stick, Swedish prick point, stick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012