What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
knotty
Example
The issue of climate change is a knotty problem that requires a lot of effort to solve. [knotty: adjective]
Example
The carpenter had to work carefully around the knotty parts of the wood. [knotty: adjective]
Example
Her hair was so knotty that it took her an hour to comb it out. [knotty: adjective]
tangled
Example
The wires under the desk were so tangled that it took him an hour to sort them out. [tangled: adjective]
Example
The plot of the movie was so tangled that I couldn't follow it. [tangled: adjective]
Example
Her hair was so tangled that she had to cut it short. [tangled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tangled is more commonly used than knotty in everyday language. Tangled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while knotty is less common and refers to specific situations such as wood with many knots or complex problems.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between knotty and tangled?
Both knotty and tangled are relatively informal words, but knotty may be slightly more formal due to its association with complex problems or situations.
