tricky
UK: ˈtrɪki | US: ˈtrɪki
adj. 1. requiring skill or caution; difficult to handle or deal with
adj. 2. deceitful or crafty
adj. 3. prone to playing tricks; mischievous
The word "tricky" combines "trick," derived from Old French trique (deceit) and possibly Latin tricari (to shuffle/evade), with the adjectival suffix "-y." Originally tied to deception ("trick"), the term evolved to describe anything complex or requiring clever handling (e.g., "a tricky puzzle"). The suffix "-y" broadly converts nouns into adjectives, emphasizing a characteristic quality. The dual meanings—difficulty and deceit—reflect the word’s roots in cunning and skillful maneuvering.
The puzzle was tricky, but she solved it with patience.
Be careful—his tricky questions are designed to mislead you.
The software’s interface is tricky for beginners.
He gave a tricky answer to avoid admitting fault.
The magician’s tricky hands fooled the audience.