tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

'tricky' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that is difficult, or requires skill or intelligence to accomplish. For example, "The job of managing a large team is a tricky one and requires a lot of experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The term "nervous" is on every rider and manager's lips when asked to describe the demands of the early phase of the race, but what they mean is more complex than a few shivers of anticipation at the prospect of a tricky bit of road or two.

The Guardian - Sport

The government is currently negotiating with unions over the tricky issue of retirement.

The New York Times

During a "showdown" with presenter Alex Brooker, who deployed a "bullshit buzzer" when he was unhappy with the quality of the Liberal Democrat leader's answers, Clegg faced a barrage of tricky questions.

The Guardian

But he found trouble in running at Sandown and this tricky track may not be easy for a horse of his inexperience, breaking from a wide stall in a big field.

The Guardian - Sport

Dundee's manager, Paul Hartley, was happy with his side's resolve as they fought to a 1-1 draw in tricky weather conditions at Inverness.

The Guardian - Sport

It has always been tricky for Messrs Cameron and Clegg to present themselves as united in an endeavour to put the country right while at the same advertising their differences in order to reassure the blue and yellow tribes that they are not betraying their respective party's fundamental beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ancelotti added weight to his frontline by replacing the midfielder Thiago Motta with Gameiro and the newcomer's tricky dribble caused enough confusion in the Valencia defence to allow Lavezzi to finish.

The Guardian - Sport

Dislikes The press can be tricky, especially if you're having an affair, but I know that comes with the territory.

The Guardian - Money

Some of the unique pieces that I have designed have been tricky to make, so I work out how they can be made through research and a little trial and error.

The Guardian

A second, more tricky question – for both the left and right – is that if these schools really are offering the best possible education in a difficult situations, then why are we ruling out such a possibility for England?

The Guardian

Fielding had a tricky time engaging and recording every interaction with a child with Asperger's, while engaging 29 others, some fairly challenging.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "tricky", consider whether emphasizing the difficulty, complexity, or potential for deception best suits your intended meaning.

Common error

While "tricky" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound too informal in academic or business writing. Opt for alternatives like "complex" or "challenging" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "tricky" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, describing nouns to indicate that they possess qualities of difficulty, complexity, or deceptiveness. This is evident in the Ludwig examples, such as "a tricky situation" or "a tricky question". Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "tricky" is a versatile term used to describe situations, tasks or people that present some level of difficulty, complexity, or potential for deception. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable word. While its common usage spans across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media. When opting for synonyms, "difficult", "complicated", and "challenging" serve as excellent alternatives. When writing, be mindful of the context, and choose more formal alternatives for academic or highly professional settings. Remember to consider whether you wish to emphasize the difficulty, the complexity, or the potential for deception when choosing "tricky" or a similar term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult

Focuses on the level of effort required.

complicated

Emphasizes the complexity and intricacy involved.

challenging

Highlights the stimulating and demanding nature of a situation.

complex

Implies a multifaceted and intricate nature.

delicate

Suggests a situation needing careful handling.

problematic

Indicates a situation causing difficulties.

intricate

Highlights the detailed and complex nature of something.

awkward

Implies a situation that is uncomfortable or difficult to handle.

sensitive

Suggests a situation requiring careful and tactful handling.

thorny

Emphasizes the presence of difficulties and potential conflict.

FAQs

How to use "tricky" in a sentence?

"Tricky" can be used to describe situations, tasks, or even people that are difficult, complex, or require cunning. For example, "That math problem was particularly tricky" or "He's a tricky negotiator".

What can I say instead of "tricky"?

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

Is it correct to say something is "tricky"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to describe something as "tricky". It's a common adjective used to describe things that are difficult or require careful handling.

When is it best to avoid using the word "tricky"?

While "tricky" is generally acceptable, it might be best to avoid it in very formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "intricate" or "sensitive".