tricky
adj/ˈtɹɪk.i/
Etymology From trick + -y.
1
Hard to deal with, complicated.
- They were in a tricky situation.
- Several types of diesel locomotive have been tested on this working and as a result the probable choice will be Type 2 diesels in pairs, without bankers. The crucial factor in the selection of this method is the higher degree of adhesion obtained than with a single Type 4; on trial one of the latter showed that in very adverse conditions it might slip to a standstill at one of the two tricky spots on the steep climb from Tyne Dock to Consett.1964 September, “News: Fewer diesels for NER in 1965”, in Modern Railways, page 201:
3 more examples
- "The trickiest we ever get," he continued, "is in the short-answer questions like, 'Why do you want to come to the University of Chicago?' or, 'What books have you read?'1995 December 27, William H. Honan, “Personal Essay Questions: Turning Torture Into Fun”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Sep 2022:
- That will prove a trickier test, the management having pinpointed Oleh Blokhin's side as "one of the favourites in the group", though they will confront an England team buoyed by this battering.2012 September 7, Dominic Fifield, “England start World Cup campaign with five-goal romp against Moldova”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 05 Nov 2022:
- It was as comfortable an afternoon as Arsène Wenger could have wished for in a situation that can be tricky in between internationals and the upcoming Champions League.2012 September 15, Amy Lawrence, “Arsenal's Gervinho enjoys the joy of six against lowly Southampton”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 07 Apr 2023:
2
Adept at using deception.
- A tricky salesman can sell anything.
- Clever got me this far Then tricky got me in Eye on what I'm after I don't need another friend2003, “The Package”, performed by A Perfect Circle:
3
Colloquial, Slang Relating to or associated with a prostitution trick.
- I don't want any of your tricky money, thank you!
- Derived terms
- trickily, trickiness, tricky racket, tricky slave, trifficult