1
: a fine sharp process or projection
especially
: a sharp pointed emergence arising from the epidermis or cortex (see cortex sense 3a) of a plant (such as a rose or raspberry) compare spine, thorn
2
: a prickling or tingling sensation
Examples of prickle in a Sentence
Noun
She felt a prickle of fear as the stranger came closer to her.
He felt the familiar prickle of excitement as the game began.
Verb
The burrs were prickling my arm.
The wool sweater prickled my skin.
My skin prickled with fear.
The hair prickled on the back of my neck.
She felt a prickling sensation in her shoulder.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2024
The prickles can also nick the skin, causing irritation.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024
The Week Uk, theweek, 26 Sep. 2024
To start, paresthesia – a sensation of prickling or burning or numbness.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prickle 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Researchers at Cornell University, meanwhile, eradicated prickles in an Australian fruit plant known as the desert raisin.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2024
The prickles can also nick the skin, causing irritation.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024
Verb
But the comedy brings flabbiness, too, the pace slackening, with not enough prickling tension between them.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 26 Sep. 2024
To start, paresthesia – a sensation of prickling or burning or numbness.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prickle
Dictionary Entries Near prickle
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prickle
1 of 2 noun
prick·le
ˈprik-əl 
1
: a small sharp point or a sharp pointed part (as a thorn on a plant) that sticks out
2
: a slight stinging or tingling sensation
prickle
2 of 2 verb
prickled; prickling
ˈprik-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to prick slightly
2
: to cause or feel a slight stinging or tingling sensation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share