ick

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/ɪk/
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An informal sound of disgust, and modern dating slang for a sudden turn-off or the small trait that causes it.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • His constant bragging became an instant ick.
  • Ick, this milk has gone sour.
  • Loud chewing is one of my biggest icks.
  • When the bug landed on his plate, he said ick.
  • She opened the bin and whispered ick.

Similar words

aversion
blech
repulsion
cringe
dealbreaker
ew
ugh
red flag
gross
turn-off

Meanings

Disgust or revulsion

interjection
everyday
informal
A quick exclamation of disgust, dislike, or queasy revulsion.

Usage

Use ick as a casual sound of disgust, especially when something looks, smells, tastes, or feels unpleasant.

Examples

  • Ick, this milk has gone sour.
  • She opened the bin and whispered ick.
  • When the bug landed on his plate, he said ick.
  • The slimy texture made everyone go ick.
  • Ick, I can't believe that was in the fridge.

Common mistakes

Using ick as an ordinary verb makes the interjection sound unnatural.
IncorrectCorrect
I icked at the smell. I said ick at the smell.
The smell icked me. The smell disgusted me.
That soup is an ick. Ick, that soup smells bad.

Similar words

ew
yuck
ugh
gross
blech

Sudden romantic turn-off

noun
relationships
slang
A sudden feeling of repulsion toward someone, or the small behavior or trait that triggers it, especially in dating.

Usage

Use ick for a casual dating turn-off, often in the ick, an ick, or plural icks.

Examples

  • The way he talked to the waiter gave her the ick.
  • Loud chewing is one of my biggest icks.
  • She got the ick after his rude joke.
  • His constant bragging became an instant ick.
  • They laughed about tiny icks from first dates.

Common mistakes

Writing a ick ignores the vowel sound, and treating every minor annoyance as the ick can overstate the feeling.
IncorrectCorrect
His constant bragging is a ick. His constant bragging is an ick.
I got an ick from the broken elevator. I got annoyed by the broken elevator.
She has many ick about dating. She has many icks about dating.

Similar words

turn-off
repulsion
aversion
dealbreaker
cringe
red flag

Usage

Use ick casually, either as a quick disgust sound or as dating slang for a sudden loss of attraction.

Common mistakes

Writing a ick instead of an ick, using ick as a verb, or treating it as formal language are the main errors.

Etymology

FAQ

What does ick mean?

Ick can be a sound of disgust, or slang for a sudden turn-off in dating.

What does the ick mean?

The ick is a sudden feeling of repulsion toward someone who had seemed attractive.

Is it a ick or an ick?

The standard form is an ick, because ick begins with a vowel sound.

Can ick be plural?

Yes. Small turn-offs can be called icks, as in my biggest icks.

Is ick formal?

No. Ick is informal and fits casual speech, texting, and slang contexts.

Is ickiness the same as ick?

Ickiness means a gross or unpleasant quality, while ick is a disgust sound or a dating turn-off.

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