# icky

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈɪki/ · frequency rank #38,895

## Definitions
1. Unpleasantly sticky; yucky; disgusting.
2. Excessively sentimental.
3. Unwell or upset; in a bad state of mind or health.

## Etymology
1935, American English; from icky-boo (circa 1920): sickly, nauseated; baby talk corruption of sick; from a sentimental term for jazz music.

## Easily confused with
- **IK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ik)
- **IDK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-idk)
- **ink** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ink)
- **ivy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ivy)
- **icy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-icy)
- **Ike** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ike)
- **ICT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ict)
- **ICU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-icu)
- **ICO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ico)
- **ICS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ics)
- **ilk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-ilk)
- **icon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-icon)
- **Indy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-indy)
- **iggy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-iggy)
- **Izzy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-izzy)
- **idly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-idly)
- **iffy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-iffy)
- **inky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-inky)
- **itty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-itty)
- **itchy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-itchy)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ciky`, `iccky`, `ickky`, `ickyy`, `icyk`, `ikcy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/icky