spiny

American  

[spahy-nee] / ˈspaɪ ni /

adjective

spinier, spiniest

1. abounding in or having spines; thorny, as a plant.

2. covered with or having sharp-pointed processes, as an animal.

3. in the form of a spine; resembling a spine; spinelike.

4. troublesome or difficult to handle; thorny.

   a spiny problem.

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spiny British  

/ ˈspaɪnɪ /

adjective

1. (of animals) having or covered with quills or spines

2. (of plants) covered with spines; thorny

3. troublesome to handle; puzzling

4. shaped like a spine

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Other Word Forms

• nonspiny adjective
• spininess noun

Etymology

Origin of spiny

First recorded in 1580–90; spine + -y ¹

Explanation

Spiny things are prickly or barbed, like a porcupine or a cactus. You have to be careful when you pick up something spiny. There are many spiny plants and animals, including roses, fish with spiny fins, sea urchins, and hedgehogs. They're all spiny for the same reason—as a defense against predators. The barbs or thorns themselves are called spines, from the Latin spina, meaning "backbone" and also "thorn or prickle." You can also use spiny figuratively to describe something difficult to deal with: "It was a spiny problem indeed."

Example Sentences

In recent years, Lentali has congratulated Musk on company news, and even invited him to the French island to eat “local fish and spiny lobster.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

They also found many arthropods -- a family that includes modern-day crabs and insects -- including spiny, stalk-eyed creatures called radiodonts which were the apex predator of the time.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

British gardens matter more than ever for hedgehogs, according to a study of the secret night life of the spiny mammals.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

“Then make sure to cool it immediately to prevent holdover temperature from overcooking the spiny little beast!”

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2024

A faceless, spiny sea creature twisted and revolved in its liquid home.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman