tricksy

[ trik-see ]

adjective

, trick·si·er, trick·si·est.

1. Also given to tricks; mischievous; playful; prankish.
2. difficult to handle or deal with.
3. Archaic. tricky; crafty; wily.
4. Archaic. fashionably trim; spruce; smart.

tricksy

/ ˈtrɪksɪ /

adjective

1. playing tricks habitually; mischievous
2. crafty or difficult to deal with
3. archaic.
   well-dressed; spruce; smart

Derived Forms

• ˈtricksiness, noun

Other Words From

• tricksi·ly adverb
• tricksi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tricksy¹

1545–55; trick + -s ³ + -y ¹; -sy

Example Sentences

The argument that Trump is being underestimated is that that’s what’s happened in the past two presidential elections, and his base is still—more than ever—composed of the types of voters who are less likely to spend time on the phone with a tricksy pollster.

From Slate

“I could feel there was something very organic there. It could have felt gimmicky or tricksy or a little bit pleased with itself. But the force of Diana’s personality meant she had to still be in the walls and atmosphere and within the heads and hearts of our characters, to the point where the power of her meant that she was manifested. It’s as complex and simple as that.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s right there in the script of Francis Beaumont’s “The Knight of the Burning Pestle,” a tricksy, loopy, wildly self-referential 1607 play that parodies both city comedy and chivalric romance.

From New York Times

This is unfortunate in an otherwise meticulously calibrated production, exquisitely lit by David Finn on a tricksy set whose surface transforms from water to stone to wood, not a whit of it digital.

From New York Times

Psychological coherence takes a back seat to tricksy plotting.

From Los Angeles Times