noun General Slang

Ick

/ɪk/ · noun · slang

A sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you were attracted to, often triggered by something small.

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Definitions

1

Used widely in modern dating talk about fleeting, irrational turn-offs.

“My ick is when someone uses too many emojis.”
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2

A sudden wave of repulsion or turn-off toward someone you fancied, frequently sparked by a tiny, often irrational thing they did. Once you "get the ick," the attraction usually dies.

“He chased the bus and I caught the ick instantly.”
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3

Often triggered by minor, specific behaviors that suddenly seem cringe.

“Watching him struggle to open a jar gave me the ick.”
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Ick In A Sentence

I got the ick when he mispronounced the word.
The way he waved gave me the ick.
One small thing and it's instant ick.

Origin & Usage

"The ick" describes a sudden turn-off in dating; it was popularized by reality TV (notably Love Island) and exploded on TikTok in the early 2020s as a defining piece of modern dating slang.

People Also Ask

What does the ick mean?

The ick is a sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you were attracted to, often triggered by something small.

Where did the ick come from?

It was popularized by reality TV like Love Island and exploded on TikTok in the early 2020s.

What gives someone the ick?

Often a tiny, specific behavior that suddenly seems cringe, killing the attraction.

How do you use the ick in a sentence?

For example: "I caught the ick" — meaning sudden disgust toward a crush.

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