poky

English

Alternative forms

• pokey

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Etymology 1

By shortening from poker machine (“gambling device”).

Noun

poky (plural pokies)

1. A gambling device based on the card game poker.

Etymology 2

From slowpoke.

Adjective

poky (comparative pokier, superlative pokiest)

1. Slow.
2. Stupid; mentally dull.

Etymology 3

This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Adjective

poky (comparative pokier, superlative pokiest)

1. (of a room or other enclosed space) Small and cramped, and often shabby.
   • 2012, Zadie Smith, NW, London: Penguin Books, published 2013, →ISBN, page 5:

     The back door leads to a poky kitchen, tiled brightly in the taste of a previous tenant.

Translations

small and cramped

• Bulgarian: тесен (bg) (tesen), сбутан (bg) (sbutan)
• Czech: těsný (cs), malý (cs), stísněný (cs)
• Polish: ciasny (pl) m

Noun

poky (plural pokies)

1. (slang) Jail.

See also

• poky bonnet