gnarly

[ nahr-lee ]

adjective

, gnarl·i·er, gnarl·i·est.

1. twisted with or as if with gnarls or knots; gnarled:

   long and gnarly fingers.

2. Slang. distasteful or distressing; offensive; gross:

   a comic noted for his gnarly humor.

3. Slang. excellent; wonderful:

   The live album has some gnarly guitar riffs and sweet bass lines.

4. Slang. difficult or dangerous:

   the gnarly surf.

gnarly

/ ˈnɑːlɪ /

adjective

1. another word for gnarled
2. informal.
   good; great
3. slang.
   surfing difficult and dangerous

Other Words From

• gnarli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnarly¹

First recorded in 1820–30; gnarl ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

She might be losing money going to the US, but she’s expecting a “fun, gnarly” couple of weeks on the tour bus.

From BBC

Her noncompliance with what is expected is a gnarly insight into our sense of entitlement to her.

From Salon

When you paddle out, it’s as though you’ve entered a new world with its own language that might sound like: “Did you see that kook? He snaked me on such a gnarly wave!”

From Los Angeles Times

“At the very least, I think it’s great for one weekend for this city to have a reminder that there is a gnarly working-class art form that lives here and is not going away.”

From Seattle Times

Nannies lead their kids up gnarly slopes, seeking places that predators fear to tread.

From New York Times