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definitions

spiky

[ spahy-kee ]
/ ˈspaɪ ki /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spiky ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, spik·i·er, spik·i·est.

having a spike or spikes.
having the form of a spike; spikelike.
acid or peevish in temper or mood; prickly.

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RELATED WORDS

opinionated, belligerent, combative, contentious, acute, pointed, prickly, biting, nasty, annoying, caustic, keen, salient, fine, tapering, eristic, contrary, gnawing, jagged

Nearby words

  1. spiked,
  2. spikedace,
  3. spikelet,
  4. spikenard,
  5. spiker,
  6. spile,
  7. spiling,
  8. spill,
  9. spill over,
  10. spill the beans

Origin of spiky

First recorded in 1570–80; spike1 + -y1
Related formsspik·i·ly, adverbspik·i·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for spiky

spiky

/ (ˈspaɪkɪ) /

adjective spikier or spikiest

resembling a spike
having a spike or spikes
British informal ill-tempered
characterized by violent or aggressive methodsspiky protestors
Derived Formsspikily, adverbspikiness, noun
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

Word Origin and History for spiky

spiky

adj.

1720, from spike (n.1) + -y (2). Related: Spikiness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper