What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tickly
Example
The feather was so tickly that it made me laugh. [tickly: adjective]
Example
She tickled his neck, and he felt a tickly sensation. [tickly: noun]
Example
The comedian's jokes were so tickly that the audience couldn't stop laughing. [tickly: adjective]
prickly
Example
The cactus had prickly needles that hurt when touched. [prickly: adjective]
Example
He felt a prickly sensation on his arm after brushing against the thorny bush. [prickly: noun]
Example
She had a prickly personality and was easily offended by criticism. [prickly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prickly is more commonly used than tickly in everyday language. Prickly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tickly is less common and refers to a specific type of sensation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tickly and prickly?
Both tickly and prickly are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
