spiky

[spahy-kee]

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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.

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

Related Words for spiky

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

British Dictionary definitions for spiky

spiky

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

adj.

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