Knotty
adjective
Something that is complex or difficult to solve.
The mystery had some knotty problems that we had to untangle.
Often appears as...
- a knotty problem
- knotty issue
adjective
Full of knots, having a rough surface or texture due to knots.
The wood was knotty and hard to work with.
Often appears as...
- knotty wood
- knotty surface
adjective
Something that is complex or difficult to solve.
The mystery had some knotty problems that we had to untangle.
Often appears as...
- a knotty problem
- knotty issue
adjective
Full of knots, having a rough surface or texture due to knots.
The wood was knotty and hard to work with.
Often appears as...
- knotty wood
- knotty surface
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Problem Complexity
Use 'knotty' to describe problems that are not only complex but also messy or tangled in nature.
Trying to plan the event schedule turned into a knotty task due to conflicting timings.
Pro Tip 2/3Intellectual Challenge
'Knotty' is often used for intellectual challenges that require a lot of thought to unravel.
The philosopher's knotty argument took me weeks to fully understand.
Pro Tip 3/3Debate and Discussion
In discussions, 'knotty' describes issues that are hard to agree upon or resolve.
The committee faced a knotty issue that sparked hours of debate.
Pro Tip 1/3Problem Complexity
Use 'knotty' to describe problems that are not only complex but also messy or tangled in nature.
Trying to plan the event schedule turned into a knotty task due to conflicting timings.
Pro Tip 2/3Intellectual Challenge
'Knotty' is often used for intellectual challenges that require a lot of thought to unravel.
The philosopher's knotty argument took me weeks to fully understand.
Pro Tip 3/3Debate and Discussion
In discussions, 'knotty' describes issues that are hard to agree upon or resolve.
The committee faced a knotty issue that sparked hours of debate.
Pro Tip 1/3Problem Complexity
Use 'knotty' to describe problems that are not only complex but also messy or tangled in nature.
Trying to plan the event schedule turned into a knotty task due to conflicting timings.
Pro Tip 2/3Intellectual Challenge
'Knotty' is often used for intellectual challenges that require a lot of thought to unravel.
The philosopher's knotty argument took me weeks to fully understand.
Pro Tip 3/3Debate and Discussion
In discussions, 'knotty' describes issues that are hard to agree upon or resolve.
The committee faced a knotty issue that sparked hours of debate.
Never forget "Knotty"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The Secret Life of...
there are knotty branches stretched out at the top of the canopy and a clutch of leaves from other plants on the forest floor in the epic struggle of survival of the fittest this strangler fig came out on top so yeah we wanted to make it really dramatic like that um and oh my god my
Video examples
The Secret Life of...
there are knotty branches stretched out at the top of the canopy and a clutch of leaves from other plants on the forest floor in the epic struggle of survival of the fittest this strangler fig came out on top so yeah we wanted to make it really dramatic like that um and oh my god my
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Walter Kirn
American Novelist
The fictionally correct have all the answers, and that's what's wrong with them. They're artistic technocrats. There's no dilemma so knotty, no question so baffling, that it can't be smoothly neutralized by dialing up the right attitude adjustment. Poor old Hemingway. If only he'd known.
Quote examples
Tim Cope
Australian Author
From the rugged cliffs of Cape Liptrap peninsula jutting bravely into the swells of Bass Strait, the coast arcs southeast, hugging the waters of Waratah Bay with sweeping flat lines of fine pale sand and knotty scrub.
Quote examples
Walter Kirn
American Novelist
The fictionally correct have all the answers, and that's what's wrong with them. They're artistic technocrats. There's no dilemma so knotty, no question so baffling, that it can't be smoothly neutralized by dialing up the right attitude adjustment. Poor old Hemingway. If only he'd known.
Quote examples
Tim Cope
Australian Author
From the rugged cliffs of Cape Liptrap peninsula jutting bravely into the swells of Bass Strait, the coast arcs southeast, hugging the waters of Waratah Bay with sweeping flat lines of fine pale sand and knotty scrub.
Example 1 of 2
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension