tricky

[trik-ee]

adjective

trickier, trickiest 

1. given to or characterized by deceitful tricks; crafty; wily.

   Synonyms: shrewd, sly, artful

2. skilled in clever tricks or dodges.

   Synonyms: adroit, skillful

3. deceptive, uncertain, or difficult to deal with or handle.

   Synonyms: perilous, unreliable, unpredictable, doubtful

tricky

/ ˈtrɪkɪ /

adjective

1. involving snags or difficulties

   a tricky job

2. needing careful and tactful handling

   a tricky situation

3. characterized by tricks; sly; wily

   a tricky dealer

Other Word Forms

• trickily adverb
• trickiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tricky¹

First recorded in 1780–90; trick + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Working out how many members a political party has can be tricky.

Read more on BBC

The deeper the Dodgers go in the playoffs, the more tricky this calculus will get.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But when a particular star is in demand, it can be tricky to strike the delicate balance between saying yes to work while not taking on too much.

Read more on BBC

But exactly where the appellate court may draw the line on presidential fact-finding is tricky, experts said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The actor and writer from Pontypool in south Wales said she found her diagnosis "tricky" at first, partly because of the "cookie-cutter" way autism was portrayed in the media.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• complex 
• critical 
• delicate 
• intricate 
• knotty 
• precarious 
• problematic 
• risky 
• rocky 
• sensitive 
• sticky 
• thorny 
• ticklish 
• touchy 
• unstable