Gordian
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to Gordius, ancient king of Phrygia, who tied a knot the Gordian knot that, according to prophecy, was to be undone only by the person who was to rule Asia, and that was cut, rather than untied, by Alexander the Great.
-
resembling the Gordian knot in intricacy.
idioms
Etymology
Origin of Gordian
1555–65; < Latin Gordi ( us ) (< Greek Górdios Gordius) + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fortunately, the man she meets cuts the Gordian knot of her anxieties by being perfect.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
Could the administration try to unravel this Gordian knot by suppressing prices and pushing for easy money?
From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025
Shapiro dexterously untangles the Gordian knot of their entwined passions, shared ambitions and business bottom lines.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2025
The American experiment, sprawling across half a continent, was to be a Gordian knot too complex for any would-be Alexander to slice through.
From Slate • Feb. 17, 2025
French editor Octave Uzanne called it “that Gordian city, so excessive, so satanic.”
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
