Tricksy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🎩

Add to dictionary

tricksy

[ˈtrɪksi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in a clever or deceptive way

Having or showing a clever or deceptive skill. Typically used to describe someone who is cunning or sly in their actions.

Synonyms

crafty, cunning, deceptive, sly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tricksy	Used to describe someone who is playful and a bit mischievous. It can have a slightly negative connotation, but often in a light-hearted, not very harmful way. The tricksy cat always finds new ways to steal food from the table
cunning	Indicates someone who is good at deceiving people to achieve their goals, often with a negative connotation. It suggests cleverness in a sneaky or manipulative way. The cunning fox outsmarted everyone in the village by stealing their chickens every night
sly	Refers to someone who is secretive and cunning, often with a negative connotation. It can also imply a certain smoothness or charm while being deceitful. With a sly wink, he passed the information to his partner without anyone noticing
crafty	Describes someone who is clever at achieving their aims by indirect or deceitful methods. It can imply skillfulness, especially in making or doing things. She's a crafty negotiator, always finding a way to get the best deal
deceptive	Used to describe actions or appearances that give a false impression or trick people. This term is usually negative and implies dishonesty. The ad was deceptive, making the product seem much better than it actually was

Examples of usage

She's a tricksy one, always finding a way to get what she wants.
The tricksy fox managed to outsmart the hunters and escape into the forest.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

difficult to deal with

Difficult to deal with, causing trouble or confusion. Often used to describe a situation or problem that is tricky or complicated.

Synonyms

challenging, complicated, perplexing, tricky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tricksy	Used to describe something or someone that is cunning, mischievous, and perhaps a bit deceitful. It often has a playful, but slightly negative connotation. That tricksy little fox managed to steal the bait again. The magician's tricksy performance left the audience baffled.
tricky	Describes something that is difficult to deal with or manage because it requires skill or care. It often implies an element of deception or the need for careful handling and can have a slightly negative undertone. Navigating through the narrow passage was tricky. The interview questions were quite tricky and caught everyone off guard.
complicated	Used when describing something that has many parts, details, or steps, making it hard to understand or deal with. This term can have a neutral to mildly negative connotation. The instructions for assembling the furniture were really complicated. Their relationship is quite complicated and hard to figure out.
challenging	Appropriate for situations that present difficulty and require effort, skill, or determination to overcome. It is a neutral term often used in a constructive or positive manner. Building a treehouse can be a challenging project. Solving the puzzle was quite challenging, but rewarding.
perplexing	Best for situations where something is confusing or puzzling, causing someone to think deeply or feel baffled. It often has a slightly stronger negative connotation compared to 'challenging'. The math problem was so perplexing that nobody could solve it. It is perplexing how he managed to disappear without a trace.

Examples of usage

The tricksy puzzle took me hours to solve.
His tricksy behavior made it hard for us to trust him.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

In literature, characters described as 'tricksy' often engage in witty banter or clever pranks, enhancing narrative tension.
The term is famously used by J.R.R. Tolkien in 'The Hobbit', describing the nature of Gollum and his riddles.
Many fairy tales feature tricksy characters, like clever foxes or cunning witches, that create conflict and drive the story.

Psychology

'Tricksy' behavior can evoke curiosity and surprise, playing on human emotions to create memorable experiences.
Psychological studies indicate that trickery can influence social dynamics, as it often involves deception or playfulness.
Mastering tricksy tactics can enhance creativity, as it encourages thinking outside traditional norms and exploring unconventional ideas.

Pop Culture

In movies and games, tricksy characters often serve as the comic relief, providing humor through their playful manipulation.
Popular figures like the Cheshire Cat from 'Alice in Wonderland' embody the tricksy archetype, with their elusive and whimsical nature.
Tricksy themes are prevalent in many modern TV shows, where characters outsmart each other in funny and unexpected ways.

Origin of 'tricksy'

Main points about word origin

The word 'tricksy' is an informal variant of 'tricky', combining elements from 'trick' and the playful suffix '-sy'.
It emerged in the early 19th century, reflecting a whimsical or mischievous behavior.
The suffix '-sy' adds a playful tone, often suggesting a lighthearted nature to the word.

The word 'tricksy' originated from the Middle English word 'trikken', meaning to deceive or play tricks. Over time, it evolved to its current form to describe someone or something that is cunning, sly, or difficult to deal with.

See also: trick, trickery, tricks, trickster, tricky.