Yucky describes something that feels disgusting, unpleasant, or makes you want to say “ew!” When milk goes sour and smells bad, it's yucky. When you step in mud and it squishes between your toes, that's a yucky feeling. Medicine that tastes bitter and makes you wrinkle your nose? Definitely yucky.

The word captures that immediate gut reaction of disgust or distaste. Little kids use it constantly: “This soup is yucky!” or “I don't want to touch that yucky bug!” But even adults use the word when something feels particularly gross or unpleasant, like cleaning out a long-forgotten lunchbox or dealing with a stomach bug.

Yucky works for things that bother any of your senses: tastes, smells, textures, or even sights. It's more casual and expressive than saying “unpleasant” or “disgusting.” When something makes you pull back and scrunch up your face in distaste, yucky is the perfect word to describe it.