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Downy vs Prickly - What's the difference?

downy | prickly | Related terms |

Downy is a related term of prickly.


As adjectives the difference between downy and prickly

is that downy is having down, covered with a soft fuzzy coating as of small feathers while prickly is covered with sharp points.

downy

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Having down, covered with a soft fuzzy coating as of small feathers.
    • The chick's downy coat of feathers formed almost immediately to keep it warm.

    prickly

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Covered with sharp points.
    • Prickly pear is a cactus, you have to peel it before eating it to remove the spines and the tough skin.
  • Easily irritated.
    • He has a prickly personality. He doesn't get along with people because he is easily set off.
  • difficult, hairy, complicated

    • Synonyms

    * (covered with sharp points) thorny, spiny

    Derived terms

    * prickly comfrey * prickly glasswort * prickly heat * prickly saltwort * prickly sculpin * prickly shield fern * prickly tang