Icky: meaning, definitions and examples

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icky

 

[ ˈɪki ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

general feeling

Icky is used to describe something that is unpleasant, disgusting, or distasteful. It can refer to physical sensations, such as something sticky or slimy, or to more abstract feelings of discomfort or aversion.

Synonyms

disgusting, gross, nasty, unpleasant

Examples of usage

  • The spilled drink left an icky residue on the table.
  • She felt icky after eating too much candy.
  • The smell in the fridge was really icky.

Translations

Translations of the word "icky" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nojento

🇮🇳 घिनौना

🇩🇪 ekelhaft

🇮🇩 menjijikkan

🇺🇦 огидний

🇵🇱 odrażający

🇯🇵 気持ち悪い

🇫🇷 dégoûtant

🇪🇸 asqueroso

🇹🇷 iğrenç

🇰🇷 역겨운

🇸🇦 مقزز

🇨🇿 hnusný

🇸🇰 odporný

🇨🇳 令人厌恶的

🇸🇮 odvratno

🇮🇸 ógeðslegur

🇰🇿 жекелді

🇬🇪 ზიზღი

🇦🇿 iyrənc

🇲🇽 asqueroso

Etymology

The word icky originated in the early 20th century, primarily as a child-like expression to describe something disgusting or unpleasant. It is likely a reduplication formed by combining the syllable 'ick,' a sound suggesting disgust or aversion, with a vowel to create a more expressive term. The use of reduplication in English often adds emphasis or creates a playful tone, which is evident in words like 'dilly-dally' or 'super-duper.' Over time, 'icky' has found its way into informal language, commonly used among children and adults alike when describing something that evokes feelings of disgust or discomfort. Its popularity has endured due to its vivid imagery and simplicity, making it a staple in both casual conversation and children's literature.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,270, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.