What does prickled mean?
Prickled describes the experience of a sudden sharp, tingling, or itching sensation, especially one affecting the skin. The word is especially natural in expressions such as “prickled with cold,” where it evokes the fine, prickling feeling produced by low temperatures. It can also describe a surface or body part as covered with small points, although this usage is less common. Figuratively, people say they prickled with fear, excitement, or anticipation when an emotional reaction makes the skin seem to tingle or tremble. The word therefore combines a concrete physical sensation with a vivid emotional image. It is useful in descriptive writing because it captures a brief but intense feeling that ordinary words such as “felt nervous” or “felt cold” may not express with the same immediacy.
To experience a sharp, stinging, itching, or tingling sensation.
"Her skin prickled in the freezing water."
Often used figuratively with emotions such as fear, excitement, or anticipation.
Covered with or feeling as though covered with small sharp points; prickly.
"The hedge was prickled with sharp, brittle thorns."
Prickled captures that instant when a physical shiver and an emotional jolt are impossible to separate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prickled come from?
The word comes through Middle English from the Old English root prica, meaning a point, thorn, or sharp instrument. The related verb pricklen originally meant to prick or sting and developed the modern sense of producing a tingling or itching sensation. The modern word continues to carry both its physical associations with points and its figurative associations with a sudden emotional or nervous reaction.
Related word forms
How prickled is actually used
Prickled is commonly used for a physical sensation and can also convey a figurative feeling of fear, excitement, or nervous anticipation. The expression “prickled with cold” is especially familiar, while emotional uses often involve fear, excitement, or anticipation.
Easily confused with prickled
Prickled usually describes the action of experiencing a sharp or tingling sensation, while prickly describes something covered with small points or tending to cause such a sensation.