knotty

USAGE SUMMARY

"knotty" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or problem that is complicated or difficult to solve. For example: "The current political crisis is particularly knotty, and a satisfactory solution is proving elusive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm of an age to call someone roughly other like Giggs "pop", but he more or less inhabits some highly specified area that flickers in and around hip-hop and gangsta rap and the knotty domestic deviation, grime, that added certain ragged home truths and electronically quarried sonic grit to grabby, waggish hip-hop alertness.

The Guardian - Music

Masquerading these knotty themes under a wave of heavenly kraut-pop, her album Y Dydd Olaf will be released on 24 July on Heavenly Recordings, after its initial limited edition run with Peski Records sold out in weeks.

The Guardian - Music

But knotty ethical quandaries are cropping up as the mechanical guts, electronic sensors and digital brains of robots continue to improve.

The Economist

Might that put Mr Spitzer off?In this section Still getting to know you Urban spacemen A knotty problem Going for brokers Fun and games Recuperating At a crossroads Degrees of difference Reprints Related items Banking regulation: Hall of fameJan 22nd 2004The insurance brokers are taking no chances.

The Economist

Without subsidies, they argued, American exports would have been lower and world cotton prices higher.In this section Still getting to know you Urban spacemen A knotty problem Going for brokers Fun and games Recuperating At a crossroads Degrees of difference Reprints Related items Unpicking cotton subsidiesApr 30th 2004Legally, the ruling clearly cuts new ground.

The Economist

The knotty task of integrating two huge research teams can distract both managers and scientists from the all-important quest for new drugs—a problem that will not show up in the balance sheet for several years.

The Economist

Inflation was put forward in the 1980s by theorists as a way to resolve various knotty problems with the standard theory of the Big Bang.

The Economist

Two months ago, the then head magistrate of Spain's High Court, Jesús Cardenal, recommended to the prosecuting judge that the case be dismissed.In this section Still getting to know you Urban spacemen A knotty problem Going for brokers Fun and games Recuperating At a crossroads Degrees of difference ReprintsSpain's stockmarket regulators believe they have nothing to fret about.

The Economist

"Braids and braids and bloody braids of meaning", says Freyn, and indeed the knotty cerebration expressed there does in the end overshadow the Conradian transcendence to which this clever and, yes, interesting novel aspires.

The Economist

Each of these is knotty enough to scupper the event on its own.

The Economist

There is also the knotty issue of whether reading, as well as writing, union e-mails must take place in non-working time; how is one to know if an e-mail from a fellow worker contains union material?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knotty" to add nuance when describing problems. It suggests a complexity that arises not just from difficulty, but also from interconnectedness, similar to literal knots.

Common error

Avoid using "knotty" solely in literal contexts (e.g., describing wood). It's more effective when applied metaphorically to abstract problems or complex situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "knotty" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something complex, difficult, or full of complications. Ludwig, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, shows that "knotty" is used to characterize problems, issues, or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knotty" functions as an adjective to describe something complex and difficult to resolve. According to Ludwig and Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media contexts. When describing a problem as "knotty", you are highlighting its intricate and entangled nature, differentiating it from a simple difficulty. For alternative expressions, consider using "complex", "complicated", or "intricate". To use "knotty" effectively, apply it to situations with interconnected complexities, and be mindful of avoiding literal interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex

Refers to intricacy involving many parts.

complicated

Implies difficulty in understanding or dealing with.

intricate

Suggests elaborateness and detail that can be confusing.

difficult

Indicates something not easily done or accomplished.

problematic

Highlights the presence of problems or difficulties.

involved

Signifies entanglement or complexity in a situation.

convoluted

Describes something extremely complex and difficult to follow.

thorny

Implies a problem that is sensitive and difficult to handle.

tangled

Suggests a state of confusion or disorder.

gnarled

Often used to describe something twisted and rough, metaphorically complex.

FAQs

How can I use "knotty" in a sentence?

Use "knotty" to describe something complicated and difficult to resolve, such as "a knotty problem" or "a knotty situation".

What can I say instead of "knotty"?

You can use alternatives like "complex", "complicated", or "intricate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to describe something as "knotty" or "difficult"?

"Knotty" implies a complexity that's interwoven and hard to untangle, whereas "difficult" simply suggests that something is hard to do or understand. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the interconnectedness of the problem.

What kind of problems are best described as "knotty"?

"Knotty" is well-suited for describing issues with many interconnected components and no easy solution, such as political dilemmas or intricate legal cases. These are often more than just "tough"; they require careful untangling.