prick
1 of 2noun
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 2verb
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
Philip Hale3
: 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
Synonyms
Noun
- perforation
- pinhole
- pinprick
- punch
- puncture
- stab
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
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
: an act of piercing with a small sharp point
2
: a feeling of pain that accompanies a piercing of the skin with a sharp point
3
: a sudden strong feeling
a prick of conscience
prick
2 of 2verb
pricked; pricking
1
: to point upward
The horse pricked up its ears.
2
: to pierce slightly with a sharp point
3
: to have or to cause a feeling of or as if of being pierced with a sharp point
pricks 1 of 2
noun
1
as in punctures
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument the immunization shot left a prick on my arm that turned into a bruise Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- punctures
- punches
- pinpricks
- slits
- tears
- stabs
- perforations
- cuts
- pinholes
- grooves
- gouges
- rips
- breaks
- hollows
- rents
- lacerations
- ruptures
- slashes
- notches
- incisions
- gashes
2
as in pains
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body she felt a sharp prick when the nurse gave her the shot Synonyms & Similar Words
- pains
- pangs
- tingles
- aches
- stings
- stitches
- swellings
- twinges
- shoots
- smarts
- sores
- throes
- inflammations
- hurts
- discomforts
- headaches
- sufferings
- tortures
- distresses
- torments
- anguishes
- gripes
- injuries
- damages
- afflictions
- bellyaches
- harms
- agonies
- miseries
- complaints
- stomachaches
- toothaches
- earaches
- backaches
- sufferances
- colics
- detriments
- charley horses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- comforts
- eases
pricks
2 of 2verb
as in prickles
Synonyms & Similar Words
- prickles
- holes
- punctures
- bores
- itches
- perforates
- stings
- tingles
- drills
- pokes
- punches
- riddles
- taps
- pierces
- tickles
- penetrates
- gouges
- hollows
- grooves
- broaches
- excavates
- burrows (into)
- by return mail
- by return of post
- by right
- by rights
- by sea
- by sight
- by some distance
- by some miracle
- by someone's reckoning
- by stealth
- by step
- by storm
- by the boatload
- by the book
- by the by
- by the bye
- by the count of
- by the day
- by the hand
- by the head
- by the heels
- by the name of
- by the numbers
- by the rules
- by the same token