Knotty: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually used to describe something that is complex or difficult to solve. It can also describe something that is physically full of knots, like wood.

• The puzzle is quite knotty, requiring hours to complete.
• The old tree had a knotty trunk.

Typically describes something that is twisted and rough in appearance, often used for trees or wood that look old and misshapen.

• The path was lined with gnarled old trees.
• His hands were gnarled from years of hard work.

Can be used for something that is physically bent out of shape, but also commonly describes something morally corrupt or perverted. The meaning can be negative depending on the context.

• The metal bar was twisted out of shape.
• He told a twisted story that left everyone feeling uncomfortable.

Most often used to describe something that is extremely complex and difficult to follow, like a very complicated plot or argument. Often has a negative connotation, implying unnecessary complexity.

• The plot of the movie was so convoluted that I couldn't follow it.
• His explanation was convoluted and hard to understand.

Usually used to describe problems or situations that are very difficult to solve because they are tangled or twisted together. It can also describe wood that has many hard, cross-grained areas.

• The negotiations were knotty and required intense mediation.
• The carpenter had trouble working with the knotty pine.

Appropriate when describing something that has many parts that are intricately combined or interconnected, and requires time and effort to understand or solve. Commonly used in technical or abstract contexts.

• The economic theories were too complex for most people to understand.
• The engineering project involved a complex system of gears and levers.

Useful for describing something that has various elements and is difficult to understand or deal with due to its intricate details. Often implies a higher degree of difficulty.

• Filing taxes can be a very complicated process.
• Their relationship became complicated after the misunderstanding.

Best used to describe a situation or task that is deceptive, requires careful handling, or has hidden issues that make it difficult. It can also imply that a situation requires skill or cleverness to navigate. Can carry a mildly negative connotation.

• The test was tricky, with many questions designed to confuse you.
• The negotiations were tricky because both sides had hidden agendas.