spiky

spiky — adjective

1. having thin, sharp points that stick out from a surface, like the needles on a h

1.形容詞B1
釋義

having thin, sharp points that stick out from a surface, like the needles on a hedgehog or the leaves of certain desert plants

例句

The hedgehog curled into a ball, hiding behind its spiky back.

describes an animal's protective feature

Justin styled his wet hair into a spiky look before the school dance.

collocation: spiky hair

同義詞
  • prickly

    more about feeling irritation on the skin when touched; 'prickly' often focuses on the sensation, while 'spiky' focuses on the appearance

  • thorny

    used mainly for plants with thorns (roses, brambles); 'thorny' is stronger for botanical contexts

  • pointed

    less dramatic than 'spiky'; simply describes a tapering shape without the sense of danger

  • barbed

    suggests backward-facing hooks (e.g. barbed wire); more specific than 'spiky'

反義詞
  • smooth

    a surface without any bumps or sharp points

  • blunt

    having a rounded or flat end rather than a sharp point

常見錯誤

❌The cactus is very spiky so I pricked the needles.
✅The cactus is very spiky so I pricked my finger on its needles.
💡'pricked the needles' sounds like the needles were injured; 'spiky' describes the plant, not the action.

2. describes a person who reacts to others with impatient or unfriendly words when

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person who reacts to others with impatient or unfriendly words when something bothers them, or a remark that sounds harsh and annoyed

例句

Ada gave a spiky reply when her colleague interrupted her work for the third time.

collocation: spiky reply

The manager's spiky comments during the meeting made everyone feel tense.

同義詞
  • irritable

    broader and more neutral; can describe a permanent state or a temporary feeling, while 'spiky' is more about the outward behaviour

  • prickly

    very similar but 'prickly' emphasises being easily offended, while 'spiky' emphasises responding sharply

  • testy

    slightly more formal; suggests impatience with small problems

  • sharp

    can describe quick, cutting remarks; broader in meaning than 'spiky'

反義詞
  • warm

    friendly and kind in manner, the opposite of sharp or impatient

  • easy-going

    not easily bothered or annoyed; relaxed in social situations

用法筆記

This sense is informal and usually describes a person's temporary mood or a specific remark, rather than a permanent personality trait. It is less strong than 'hostile' or 'aggressive' — a spiky person is sharp and impatient but not openly attacking.

常見錯誤

❌My mother is a spiky person who yells every day.
✅My mother can be spiky in the mornings before she has her coffee.
💡'spiky' describes temporary sharpness, not a constant aggressive trait; use 'irritable' or 'bad-tempered' for permanent states.