WordGarden.ioicky
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈaɪki/
US
Meanings
Adjective
unpleasantly disgusting, sticky, dirty, or distasteful
feeling sick, uneasy, or emotionally uncomfortable
Beyond the definition
"Icky" isn't a formal scientific term, but it's a wonderfully descriptive word for anything that makes you cringe! It describes something unpleasant — not necessarily dirty, just… off. Think of the feeling when you step in something squishy with your bare foot, or touch a forgotten piece of fruit at the bottom of your bag. That's icky.
Kids use "icky" a lot to describe things they dislike — like certain textures, smells, or things that just feel bad to them. It's often used for things that are slimy, gooey, sticky, or just generally gross. You might say a bug is "icky," or that spinach feels "icky" to you because of the texture. While it can be subjective — one person's "icky" is another person's perfectly fine — it always suggests a strong feeling of dislike or disgust.
The word "icky" describes something that evokes a strong sense of disgust or unpleasantness. It's an informal, often childlike term used to express aversion to things considered gross, slimy, sticky, or generally unappealing. While not a precise scientific descriptor, "icky" taps into a visceral reaction — a feeling of wanting to avoid contact with whatever is being described.
"Icky" isn't necessarily about something being dirty or unsanitary; it's more about the texture, appearance, or even smell triggering an instinctive negative response. A wet sponge can be icky, but so can a particularly creepy-looking spider. You might describe a villain in a movie as "icky" if they're unsettling and unpleasant to watch.
The word is frequently used by children when expressing their dislikes, often related to food or physical sensations. ("That worm is so icky!") However, adults use it too — perhaps to describe a particularly grimy public restroom or a questionable stain on the carpet. It's a versatile term for anything that just feels… wrong.
Unlike words like "disgusting" or "repulsive," "icky" often carries a lighter tone, suggesting mild disgust rather than extreme horror. It's the kind of word people use when something feels nasty, creepy, or unpleasant in an immediate, personal way. So if something makes your skin crawl and you want to pull your hand away, there's a good chance you'd call it icky.
Examples
- 1
Spoiled food
This milk tastes icky, so don't drink it.
- 2
Dirty hands
My hands felt icky after I cleaned the fish tank.
- 3
Personal questions
The whole conversation got icky when he started asking personal questions.
- Phrasegot icky
started to feel uncomfortable or inappropriate
- 4
Bad instinct
I had an icky feeling about the deal from the beginning.
- Phrasean icky feeling
an uneasy feeling that something is wrong
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ickyadjective