Meaning & use

tricky

adjective·Everyday

Difficult to do or deal with because it requires care, skill, or caution.

See it in a sentence

Parallel parking on a busy street can be tricky for new drivers.

Negotiating the contract was tricky because both sides refused to compromise.

A note on using this word

Tricky can also describe a person who is cunning or deceptive, not just a situation that is hard to manage.

Words with a similar meaning

difficultdelicateproblematic

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

straightforwardsimple

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Clever in a deceptive or dishonest way; inclined to trick people.

Be careful with that salesman; he's tricky and will talk you into upgrades you don't need.

Make it your own

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