What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
knotty
Example
The project presented a knotty challenge for the team. [knotty: adjective]
Example
The knotty roots of the tree made it difficult to remove. [knotty: adjective]
Example
After a long workout, my back felt knotty and sore. [knotty: adjective]
tricky
Example
The tricky question on the exam caught many students off guard. [tricky: adjective]
Example
Be careful dealing with him, he's a tricky person. [tricky: adjective]
Example
The tricky dance routine required a lot of practice to master. [tricky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tricky is more commonly used than knotty in everyday language. Tricky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while knotty is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between knotty and tricky?
Both knotty and tricky are informal words that can be used in casual conversation. However, tricky can also be used in formal contexts to describe complex or difficult situations.
