barky
|bark-y|
🇺🇸
/ˈbɑr.ki/
🇬🇧
/ˈbɑː.ki/
characterized by bark (sound or covering)
Etymology
'barky' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'bark' plus the adjectival suffix '-y' meaning 'characterized by' or 'full of'.
'bark' has Old English roots (compare Old English 'beorc' for tree bark and Middle English forms for the sound of a dog); the productive suffix '-y' was added in later English to form adjectives such as 'barky'.
Initially associated with the noun 'bark' (either the sound a dog makes or the protective outer covering of a tree); over time the compound adjective 'barky' came to mean 'characterized by barking' and by extension 'harsh or brusque in manner', with a secondary botanical sense 'having bark'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
tending to bark; frequently making short, sharp barking sounds (used especially of dogs).
The neighbors complained because the dog next door had been barky all night.
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Adjective 2
abrupt, sharp, or brusque in tone or manner; sounding like a bark rather than smooth speech.
His manager's instructions were so barky that some team members felt put off.
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Last updated: 2026/01/17 01:36