prick
gb/pɹˈɪk/ us/pɹˈɪk/
B1
English
seggfej, fasz, szúrás, megszúr, lyukat szúr, csíp, sért, szúrásnyom, apró lyuk, felkelt
NOUN
C1
VULGAR
1
Usage pattern:
a prick
He was a complete prick to the waitstaff all evening.
Egész este egy igazi seggfej volt a felszolgálókkal.
Don’t be a prick—just apologize and move on.
Ne legyél seggfej – csak kérj bocsánatot, és lépj tovább.
She dumped him because he started acting like a prick.
Learner examples
He is a prick.
Ő egy seggfej.
Don’t call people that word.
Ne nevezz így másokat.
Common mistake:
Do not use this in polite conversation; it is much stronger than words like 'jerk'.
Meaning
an unpleasant person (insult)
Collocations
such a prick
|an arrogant prick
|a total prick
|stop being a prick
|that guy's a prick
Synonyms
jerk (less offensive and more common in polite speech)
|
asshole (similarly offensive; often harsher)
Antonyms
gentleman (a polite and considerate man)
Themes
relationships
|conflict
|emotions
Definition
a very rude word for a horrible person
A very offensive word for a person (usually a man) who is unpleasant, mean, or contemptible.
NOUN
B1
2
szúrás
B1
Usage pattern:
a prick (of pain)
She felt a prick of pain when the nurse inserted the needle.
Szúrást érzett, amikor az ápoló beszúrta a tűt.
A thorn gave me a sharp prick in my thumb.
Egy tüske éles szúrást okozott a hüvelykujjamban.
There was a sudden prick in his side as he started running.
Learner examples
I felt a small prick in my finger.
Kis szúrást éreztem az ujjamban.
Common mistake:
This is different from 'a prick' meaning an insulting word for a person.
Meaning
a sharp stinging pain
Collocations
a sharp prick
|a sudden prick
|a prick of pain
|feel a prick
|a little prick
Synonyms
sting (often suggests a burning or insect-like pain)
|
twinge (often a brief pain inside the body)
Antonyms
numbness (lack of feeling rather than pain)
Themes
health
|body
Definition
a quick, sharp pain
A sudden sharp pain, like the feeling of being touched by a needle or thorn.
VERB
B1
3
megszúr
B1
lyukat szúr
B1
Usage pattern:
prick [something/someone] (with [something])
Be careful not to prick your finger with the needle.
Vigyázz, nehogy megszúrd az ujjad a tűvel.
He pricked a tiny hole in the plastic to let the air out.
Egy apró lyukat szúrt a műanyagba, hogy kiengedje a levegőt.
The rose thorns pricked her arm as she reached in.
Learner examples
I pricked my finger on a pin.
Megszúrtam az ujjamat egy gombostűvel.
Common mistake:
Not the same as 'pick' (choose or remove).
Meaning
puncture with a sharp point
Collocations
prick your finger
|prick your skin
|prick a balloon
|prick a hole
|prick with a needle
|prick with a pin
Synonyms
pierce (often implies going through or making a deeper hole)
|
puncture (more technical; commonly used for tires and wounds)
Antonyms
seal (close a hole or opening)
Themes
daily_life
|health
|tools
Definition
to make a small hole with something sharp
To make a small hole in something, or pierce someone’s skin, using a sharp point such as a needle, pin, or thorn.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[something] pricks [someone/something]
The smoke pricked her eyes and made them water.
A füst csípte a szemét, amitől könnyezni kezdett.
His comment pricked her pride, even though he meant it as a joke.
A megjegyzése sértette a büszkeségét, bár viccnek szánta.
The rough collar pricked the back of his neck.
Learner examples
Smoke pricked my eyes.
A füst csípte a szememet.
Common mistake:
This often describes a small, sharp feeling, not strong pain.
Meaning
cause irritation or discomfort
Collocations
prick your eyes
|prick at your skin
|prick his pride
|prick her feelings
|prick the conscience
Synonyms
irritate (more general; not necessarily a sharp feeling)
|
sting (often more intense or burning)
Antonyms
soothe (make something feel calmer or less painful)
Themes
health
|emotions
Definition
to make something feel slightly painful or uncomfortable
To cause a slight uncomfortable feeling, physically (for example in the eyes or skin) or emotionally (for example hurt pride).
NOUN
B2
5
szúrásnyom
B2
apró lyuk
A2
Usage pattern:
a prick in [something]
There was a tiny prick in the glove where the wire went through.
Egy egészen apró lyuk volt a kesztyűn ott, ahol átment rajta a drót.
The fabric showed dozens of pricks from the pins.
A szöveten több tucat szúrásnyom látszott a gombostűktől.
A single prick in the seal was enough to let air escape.
Learner examples
There is a small prick in the bag.
Van egy kis lyuk a zacskón.
Common mistake:
Often interchangeable with 'pinprick' in this sense.
Meaning
a small puncture hole
Collocations
a tiny prick
|a small prick
|a prick in the fabric
|a prick in the skin
|leave a prick
Synonyms
pinprick (very small hole, strongly associated with pins)
|
puncture (more general and often larger)
Antonyms
patch (a repair that covers a hole)
Themes
daily_life
|materials
Definition
a tiny hole made by something sharp
A small hole made by something sharp, such as a pin or thorn.
NOUN
C1
VULGAR
6
fasz
B2
Usage pattern:
a prick
The term is vulgar and shouldn’t be used in formal or polite settings.
A „fasz” vulgáris szó, és hivatalos vagy udvarias helyzetben nem illik használni.
He used a crude word for his genitals.
Trágár szót használt a nemi szervére.
Common mistake:
Avoid using this except when you understand the social context; it is highly offensive.
Meaning
male sexual organ (vulgar)
Collocations
show your prick
|get your prick out
Synonyms
dick (very common vulgar slang; often also an insult)
Themes
body
|sex
Definition
a very rude word for 'penis'
A very offensive slang word for a penis.
VERB
B2
7
felkelt
B1
Usage pattern:
prick [someone]'s curiosity/interest
The headline pricked my curiosity, so I clicked the article.
A cím felkeltette a kíváncsiságomat, ezért rákattintottam a cikkre.
That comment pricked her interest in the topic.
Az a megjegyzés felkeltette az érdeklődését a téma iránt.
A strange noise outside pricked his attention.
Learner examples
The story pricked my curiosity.
A történet felkeltette a kíváncsiságomat.
Common mistake:
Usually used with 'curiosity' or 'interest' rather than alone.
Meaning
make someone curious or interested
Collocations
prick your curiosity
|prick her interest
|prick his interest
|prick someone's curiosity
Synonyms
spark (suggests starting interest like a small fire)
|
arouse (more formal; can sound literary)
Antonyms
bore (make someone lose interest)
Themes
learning
|emotions
|communication
Definition
to make someone suddenly interested or curious
To make someone feel curious, interested, or mentally alert, often suddenly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prick
IPA
GB/pɹˈɪk/
US/pɹˈɪk/
Syllables & stress
prick (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prick)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prick
- Plural: pricks
Verb
- Base: prick
- 3rd Person Singular: pricks
- Present Participle: pricking
- Past: pricked
Word family
Forms
pricks
noun
pricking
verb
pricked
verb
Related words
prickle
noun
prickly
adjective
Advanced or less common
pinprick
noun
Expressions
prick someone's conscience
1/pɹˈɪk sˈʌmwˌʌnz kˈɑnʃəns/
fixed phrase
make someone feel guilty
to make someone feel a little guilty
Examples
- The news report pricked his conscience, and he decided to return the money.
- Her conscience was pricked when she realized the mistake affected other people.
- A small lie can prick your conscience later.
Learner examples
- My conscience was pricked, so I told the truth.
prick the bubble
1/pɹˈɪk ðə bˈʌbəl/
fixed phrase
end a false belief
to show the truth and end an illusion
Examples
- I hate to prick the bubble, but this plan is way over budget.
- One bad quarter was enough to prick the bubble of confidence around the company.
- A single fact pricked the bubble of his story.
prick up your ears
1/pɹˈɪk ˈʌp jˈʊɹ ˈɪɹz/
idiom
start listening carefully
to listen carefully suddenly
Examples
- I pricked up my ears when I heard my name mentioned.
- She pricked up her ears at the sound of music next door.
- The kids pricked up their ears when they heard the word 'ice cream.'
Learner examples
- I pricked up my ears when I heard a noise.