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tricky

Etymology and origin of the English word tricky

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1786
Ultimate origin
English (trick)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈtrɪk.i/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from trick and -y.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Given to crafty or deceitful tricks; artful, shifty: 1786.[4][2][3]

Semantic evolution

The sense deceptively difficult, full of unexpected snags, is attested by 1868.[2][4] Skilled in clever tricks is from 1887.[4] Earlier words were tricksy (1590s), tricksome and trickish (1705).[2]

Timeline

  • 1590s – tricksy.[2]
  • 1705 – trickish.[2]
  • 1786 – tricky, crafty.[4][2]
  • 1868 – difficult.[2][4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Difficult and needing skill or care: a tricky job.
  2. Needing tact: a tricky situation.
  3. Crafty or deceitful; sly.

Word family

  • trickily
  • trickiness

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Tricky.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/tricky. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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