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

Her horns bedecked with ribbons gay, And garlanded with rosy may,—A tricksy sight.

From Project Gutenberg

The river is about five miles from shore to shore, and we have known it of old for a most enticing and tricksy customer.

From Project Gutenberg

Madame von Marwitz now looked at her and as she looked the tricksy light of malice again grew in her eye.

From Project Gutenberg

Wasn't I born on a Easter Sunday, wid the power to see the good people, an' the little people, an' all the tricksy tribes?

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes a tricksy, half-provoked desire to break through the barricade of his stoicism tempted her.

From Project Gutenberg