hickey: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “hickey” mean?
A temporary mark, often a bruise, made on the skin by passionate kissing or sucking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A temporary mark, often a bruise, made on the skin by passionate kissing or sucking.
Informally, can refer to a small blemish, flaw, or any small, non-serious mark or injury; also a slang term for a pimple.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English uses 'love bite' more commonly for the core meaning; US English uses 'hickey' predominantly. 'Hickey' for a pimple or small flaw is more likely in US English but still dated.
Connotations
In both varieties, the core meaning carries a juvenile, romantic, or slightly embarrassing connotation.
Frequency
Much more frequent in US English. In UK English, 'love bite' is the default, making 'hickey' a recognized but less used Americanism.
Grammar
How to Use “hickey” in a Sentence
to give [someone] a hickeyto have/get a hickey [on one's neck]to be covered in hickeysVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hickey” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were hickeying in the cinema. (very rare, non-standard)
American English
- He hickeyed her neck. (informal, rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used among friends, teenagers, in romantic contexts. Considered informal/personal.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hickey”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hickey”
- Using in formal writing.
- Assuming it's universally understood as 'pimple'.
- Pronouncing with a /aɪ/ sound (like 'bike') instead of /ɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and personal, referring to private physical contact. It is not swear word rude, but it is inappropriate for formal contexts.
Yes, dated/regional uses include a pimple, a gadget, or a small flaw (e.g., 'a hickey on the car's paintwork'), but these are now rare and could cause misunderstanding.
'Love bite' is the most common and direct equivalent in British English.
Common folk remedies include applying a cold compress soon after, gentle massage, or covering with concealer makeup. It fades naturally in a few days to a week.
A temporary mark, often a bruise, made on the skin by passionate kissing or sucking.
Hickey is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Hickey: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪk.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪk.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Hickey sounds like 'icky' – something you might want to hide, like a mark on your skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOVE/ATTRACTION IS A PHYSICAL MARK.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'hickey' most likely be used?