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Tricky Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tricky

[ˈtrɪki ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

to describe a situation or person

Involving difficulties or complications that are hard to deal with; requiring skill or caution to be successful.

Synonyms

challenging, complex, complicated, difficult, knotty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tricky

Situations or tasks that require careful handling or are subtly difficult to navigate. Often carries a nuance of deception or cunning.

  • Negotiating this contract is tricky because there are many hidden clauses.
  • Getting the stuck bolt loose is tricky; you'll need just the right tool.
complex

Indicates something with many interconnected parts or factors, often requiring thoughtful analysis or understanding.

  • The human brain is incredibly complex, with trillions of neural connections.
  • Solving this complex equation will take some time.
complicated

Describes a situation or problem that has many intertwined or confusing elements, making it difficult to understand or solve.

  • Their relationship became complicated after the misunderstanding.
  • The instructions for assembling the furniture were too complicated to follow.
difficult

General term for something that requires a lot of effort, skill, or determination to achieve or deal with.

  • Learning a new language is difficult but very rewarding.
  • It's difficult to balance work and family life.
challenging

Describes tasks or situations that test one's abilities or skills, often in a positive way or as an opportunity for growth.

  • Running a marathon is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
  • This new job is challenging, but I am learning a lot.
knotty

Refers to problems or issues that are tangled, intricate, and hard to unravel; often carries a connotation of being particularly perplexing or troublesome.

  • The legal case was full of knotty issues that took years to resolve.
  • Untangling these financial errors is a knotty task.

Examples of usage

  • He is known for his tricky ways of negotiating.
  • The tricky puzzle took me hours to solve.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People who enjoy solving tricky problems often exhibit higher cognitive flexibility, allowing them to adapt their thinking strategies.
  • Children are frequently encouraged to engage with tricky tasks to develop perseverance and problem-solving skills.
  • Tricky situations can trigger a 'fight or flight' response, highlighting the brain's reaction to perceived challenges.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, tricky characters often serve as comedic relief or clever antagonists, showcasing wit and cunning.
  • The phrase 'tricky Ricky' became popular in the 1990s to describe someone who is clever but maybe a little too sly.
  • Video games frequently feature tricky levels or puzzles that require players to think outside the box to advance.

Literature

  • Many classic tales include tricky characters or challenges, such as Odysseus in Homer's epics who navigated tricky situations with cleverness.
  • In children's literature, tricky riddles or moral dilemmas often teach lessons about honesty or resourcefulness.
  • Famous authors like Agatha Christie employed tricky plots with unexpected twists, illustrating the complexity of human nature.

Education

  • Teachers often introduce tricky problems to encourage critical thinking and creativity among students.
  • Complex math or science problems are designed to be tricky to help students learn to approach problems strategically.
  • Educational games often use tricky questions to engage students, pushing them to think logically and systematically.

Origin of 'tricky'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the late 19th century, a derivative of 'trick', referring to something that requires skill or cunning.
  • Initially, 'tricky' was associated with deceit, but over time shifted to represent difficulty or complexity in tasks.
  • Related words in other languages, like 'tricheur' in French, also imply cleverness combined with a sense of cunning.

The word 'tricky' originated in the late 17th century, derived from the term 'trick,' which means a cunning or skillful act intended to deceive or outwit someone. Over time, 'tricky' evolved to describe situations or individuals that involve difficulties or complications. The word has been widely used in English literature and everyday language to depict challenging or intricate circumstances.

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

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,031, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.