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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC

“When people touch them, it’s kind of cool because their bellies are soft and smooth. Their backs are sharp and spiny. It’s kind of analogous to sharkskin.”

From Los Angeles Times

On California’s North Coast, where other urchin nemeses — like otters, spiny lobsters and sheephead — are lacking, 96% of the region’s kelp forests vanished in the decade following the sea star collapse.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists discovered a new species of spiny mouse - named after the especially stiff guard hairs found on their coats, which function similar to the spines of a hedgehog.

From BBC

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

From Salon