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Pokey - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Pokey means small, cramped, or uncomfortably slow. It can describe a tight space, like a pokey room, or something sluggish, such as pokey progress. The term is informal and often negative.

pokey

/ˈpoʊki/ /ˈpəʊki/

Definition:

Small, cramped, or shabby; also slang for jail.

Synonyms:

cramped, confined, dingy, shabby

Part of Speech:

adjective, noun

Antonyms:

spacious, roomy

Common Collocations:

pokey little room, pokey old car, pokey jail cell

Derivatives:

pokeys (plural noun), pokiness (noun)

Usage Tips:

Use "pokey" to describe small or slow things informally; avoid in formal writing.

Common Phrases:

in the pokey, pokey little town, move at a pokey pace

Etymology:

Originated in the 19th century, possibly from "poke" meaning bag or sack, implying something small or slow.

Examples:

  • 1. The hotel room was pokey and uncomfortable.
  • 2. He spent a night in the pokey for speeding.
  • 3. Her pokey old car barely made it up the hill.
  • 4. The café was cozy but a bit pokey for large groups.

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