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spiky

[spahy-kee]
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.

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, biting, nasty, annoying, caustic, keen, salient, fine, tapering, eristic, contrary, gnawing, jagged
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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper