gnarled

[ nahrld ]

adjective

1. (of trees) full of or covered with gnarls; bent; twisted.
2. having a rugged, weather-beaten appearance:

   a gnarled old sea captain.

3. crabby; cantankerous.

gnarled

/ nɑːld /

adjective

1. having gnarls
2. (esp of hands) rough, twisted, and weather-beaten in appearance
3. perverse or ill-tempered

Other Words From

• un·gnarled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnarled¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; variant of knurled

Example Sentences

Fortunato Gatto came across a gnarled birch tree draped with pale ‘old man’s beard’ lichens in Glen Affric in the Scottish highlands.

From BBC

Originally from the word “gnarled” meaning rough or twisted, surfers adapted this word in the 1970s to describe a situation that can be seen as extreme such as riding an intimidating wave, said Warshaw.

From Los Angeles Times

On Friday, in the scant shelter of a few gnarled olive trees near the Palestinian village of Beita, a first field outing became her last.

From Los Angeles Times

Nicky said he remembers Patrick noticing the "gnarled hands of ex-miners" in the job centres now filling in forms for benefits.

From BBC

The property is miles from the highway, accessible on two-lane roads lined by horse paddocks, white fences and canopies of gnarled live oaks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contorted
• crooked
• deformed
• gnarly
• twisted
• wrinkled