poky

[ poh-kee ]

adjective

, Informal.

, pok·i·er, pok·i·est.

1. moving or acting slowly or ineffectively; slow; dull:

   poky drivers.

2. (of a place) small and cramped:

   a poky little room.

3. (of dress) dowdy.

poky

/ ˈpəʊkɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   (esp of rooms) small and cramped
2. without speed or energy; slow

noun

1. the poky slang.
   prison

Derived Forms

• ˈpokiness, noun
• ˈpokily, adverb

Other Words From

• poki·ly adverb
• poki·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of poky¹

First recorded in 1825–30; poke ¹ + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of poky¹

C19: from poke ¹(in slang sense: to confine)

Example Sentences

Leaving infrastructure work to the marketplace is how America wound up with so many embarrassing airports, shaky bridges and poky, increasingly dangerous trains.

From Salon

And digging through the social media presence of the "woke-busting" Patriots only piles on the worry that these are people who are so censorious that the Little Golden Book about "The Poky Little Puppy" would offend them.

From Salon

In a world of cautious Catalans and poky Petroffs, the King’s Gambit can guarantee an interesting outing.

From Washington Times

Almost all runners, whether veterans or newcomers, poky or fleet, youthful or antique, share one bond.

From Washington Post

Sometimes you cut your finger on a poky throne.

From Salon