English Reference

Word

trickier

Phoneticstrick·i·er

US/ˈtɹɪkiɝ/

UK/tɹˈɪkiɐ/

Definition

adj. more difficult to do or understand than something else. You use this when a task is not easy but you still have a chance of succeeding.

adj. more difficult or complex to manage or solve. The comparative form of 'tricky', often used to describe tasks that require more skill or caution.

Examples

“The second part of the test is much trickier than the first.”

“While the basic installation is straightforward, the final calibration is trickier because it requires precise measurements.”

“Navigating the legal landscape of international patents is trickier than many inventors anticipate, as regional laws often conflict with one another in subtle ways.”

Examples

simple

“The second part of the test is much trickier than the first.”

contextual

“While the basic installation is straightforward, the final calibration is trickier because it requires precise measurements.”

complex

“Navigating the legal landscape of international patents is trickier than many inventors anticipate, as regional laws often conflict with one another in subtle ways.”

Real-World Examples

“The problem becomes even trickier if two layers look almost exactly the same.”
Phys.org · 1 Sept 2026
“Trying to figure out when the tooth was made was trickier.”
Phys.org · 22 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/trickier

English Reference