How Do You Spell POKY?

Pronunciation: [pˈə͡ʊki] (IPA)

Poky is an adjective that means slow or sluggish. The spelling of this word may cause confusion due to its prevalence in American English where it may also be spelled as 'pokey' or 'pokie'. The IPA phonetic transcription for poky is /ˈpoʊ.ki/, where the "o" sound is pronounced as in "go", the "k" sound is clear with no aspiration, and the "y" sound is pronounced as the long ee sound as in "she". Despite its spelling variations, the meaning of poky remains the same.

POKY Meaning and Definition

  1. Poky is an adjective that is used to describe something as small, cramped, or lacking in spaciousness. It refers to a confined or limited space, generally connoting an unfavorable quality.

    In a literal sense, poky can be used to describe a small room or an area with restricted size. It often implies a feeling of being cramped, tight, or overcrowded. For example, a poky apartment might have limited square footage, compromising on the comfort and freedom of movement for its inhabitants.

    Metaphorically, poky can also be used to describe a slow, sluggish, or delaying quality. It suggests a sense of sluggishness, lack of progress, or inefficiency. For instance, if someone describes a company's processes as poky, they imply that they are slow, outdated, and hindering productivity.

    The term can also be used to describe a person's behavior or attitude. A poky individual is considered slow, tardy, or lacking in energy. This usage typically implies a disdain for the person's lack of urgency or vitality.

    Overall, poky is a versatile adjective used to describe various negative qualities such as smallness, tightness, slowness, and inefficiency. It is often employed to suggest dissatisfaction with the confined or slow nature of a particular object, situation, or individual.

Common Misspellings for POKY

Etymology of POKY

The word "poky" has its origins in the English language, and its etymology is believed to be influenced by both British and American English.

The primary meaning of "poky" is something that is small, cramped, or confined, often referring to a small room or space. This sense of the word emerged in the mid-19th century, although its precise origin is unclear.

It is speculated that "poky" could have derived from the British dialect term "poke" or "pock" meaning a small sack or bag. The idea of something being "poky" may have come from the sense of being confined or limited within the space of a bag. However, this is not the only possible origin of the word.

Another theory suggests that "poky" may have been influenced by the word "poke" as a verb, meaning to thrust or prod.

Similar spelling words for POKY

Plural form of POKY is POKIES

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