What does ick mean?
“Ick” is an informal expression of disgust or revulsion, usually produced when encountering something distasteful, unpleasant, or simply repellent. As an interjection, it can stand alone—“Ick, not again!”—or introduce a comment about a sight, smell, taste, texture, or idea. It also has a colloquial noun use: “something that gives someone the ick” means something that causes intense distaste, while “the ick factor” names a quality that makes a person or thing unappealing. The word is especially common in British English but is also understood in American English. Its force comes from brevity and emotional immediacy rather than formal precision, making it especially effective in conversation, informal writing, and humorous reactions. Because it conveys an immediate visceral response, it often implies that the speaker finds the subject unpleasant in both a physical or aesthetic sense and, by extension, a moral or social one.
Used to express disgust, revulsion, or distaste at something unpleasant.
"Ick! I hope nobody expects me to eat that."
Informal and usually stronger and more subjective than a neutral statement of dislike.
Something that causes disgust or revulsion, or a feeling of intense distaste.
"His arrogant attitude gives me the ick."
Colloquial, particularly associated with British English; often used in the expressions “give someone the ick” and “the ick factor.”
The plural is possible when referring to multiple distasteful things or instances, but the noun is normally used in fixed expressions.
"The film had several icks that made the audience cringe."
Sometimes one syllable says it all: "ick" is the universal sound of unwelcome sights, smells, and ideas.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ick come from?
“Ick” is a modern English expressive formation, probably shaped by the sound it conveys rather than by a securely established inherited root. It parallels other interjections of disgust and appears alongside the established expressions “yuck” and “ugh.” Its later colloquial noun use developed from the idea of a sensation or quality that provokes disgust.
How ick is actually used
Informal and characteristically expressive. It is more conversational than a formal reaction, and the noun use is especially associated with British English.
Easily confused with ick
"Ick" expresses disgust or revulsion, whereas "sick" usually describes illness or can mean seriously unwell.