tricky

tricky

adjective \ˈtri-kē\

trick·i·ertrick·i·est

Definition of TRICKY

1

: inclined to or marked by trickery

2

a : giving a deceptive impression of easiness, simplicity, or order : ticklish <a tricky path through the swamp>

b : trick 3

3

: requiring skill, knack, or caution (as in doing or handling) : difficult <a tricky problem>; also : ingenious <a tricky rhythm>

— trick·i·ly \ˈtri-kə-lē\ adverb

— trick·i·ness \ˈtri-kē-nəs\ noun

Examples of TRICKY

1. The lock is tricky to open.
2. <a tricky musical passage for the woodwind section>

First Known Use of TRICKY

1786

Related to TRICKY

Synonyms

catchy, delicate, difficult, dodgy [chiefly British], hairy, knotty, nasty, prickly, problematic (also problematical), sensitive, spiny, sticky, thorny, ticklish, touchy, tough, tricksy

Antonyms

artless, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, undesigning

Related Words

abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, hard, intricate, involved, recondite, serious; problem, scabrous, stubborn, troublesome, troublous, vexatious, vexing, worrisome; burdensome, demanding, discommoding, exacting, exhausting, importunate, inconvenient, onerous, oppressive, painful, stressful

Near Antonyms

easy, effortless, manageable, painless, simple, straightforward, uncomplicated, undemanding, unproblematic

See Synonym Discussion at sly

Rhymes with TRICKY

dickey, hickey, icky, kicky, picky, quickie, rickey, shticky, sickie, sticky