prick

1 of 2

noun

ˈprik 

1

: a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed instrument

2

a

: a pointed instrument or weapon

b

: a sharp projecting organ or part

3

: an instance of pricking or the sensation of being pricked: such as

a

: a nagging or sharp feeling of remorse, regret, or sorrow

b

: a slight sharply localized discomfort

the prick of a needle

4

vulgar : penis

5

slang, vulgar : a spiteful or contemptible man often having some authority

prick

2 of 2

verb

pricked; pricking; pricks

transitive verb

1

: to pierce slightly with a sharp point

2

: to affect with anguish, grief, or remorse

doubt began to prick him

—Philip Hale

3

: to ride, guide, or urge on with or as if with spurs : goad

4

: to mark, distinguish, or note by means of a small mark

5

: to trace or outline with punctures

6

: to remove (a young seedling) from the seedbed to another suitable for further growth

—usually used with out

7

: to cause to be or stand erect

a dog pricking its ears

intransitive verb

1

a

: to prick something or cause a pricking sensation

b

: to feel discomfort as if from being pricked

2

a

: to urge a horse with the spur

b

: to ride fast

3

: thrust

4

: to become directed upward : point

Phrases

prick up one's ears

: to listen intently

Synonyms

Noun

• perforation
• pinhole
• pinprick
• punch
• puncture
• stab

Examples of prick in a Sentence

Noun

She felt a prick as the thorn jabbed her foot.

He felt the prick of the needle.

She felt a prick of jealousy.

Verb

The nurse pricked my finger and squeezed out a drop of blood.

The sharp shells pricked the bottoms of our feet.

She was pricked by doubt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In postwar California, the Red Light Bandit pricked a governor’s conscience. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024

During this test, a healthcare provider pricks your skin with a small amount of an allergen. —Daniel More, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024

Somewhere out there in the ether, the ghost in the machine hears our weak little mouse clicks and pricks up his horns. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

Another is a growing concern of Harris’ periodic comments on issues related to Indian democracy and human rights, ruffling feathers in India and pricking the warming ties between Washington and New Delhi. —Anika Arora Seth, Washington Post, 28 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English prikke, from Old English prica; akin to Middle Dutch pric prick

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

prick

1 of 2 noun

ˈprik 

1

: a mark or small wound made by a pointed instrument

2

: something sharp or pointed

3

: an instance of pricking

4

: the sensation of being pricked

prick

2 of 2 verb

1

: to pierce slightly with a sharp point

2

: to have or cause a feeling of or as if of being pricked

3

: to point forward or upward

the dog's ears pricked up at the sound