What does tricksier mean?
Tricksier is the comparative form of tricky, describing something that is more difficult to understand, solve, or handle. It can also indicate that someone or something is more deceptive, cunning, or devious. The word is especially natural in comparisons involving puzzles, rules, problems, opponents, or situations that contain hidden complications. For example, a problem may become tricksier when an apparently simple task includes a concealed condition, while a competitor may be described as tricksier if their methods are unusually cunning. In ordinary writing, trickier is the more frequent spelling, though tricksier is fully established. Although “more complicated” may sound more formal, tricksier has the advantage of conveying complexity with a distinctly conversational tone and can suggest deception as well as difficulty.
adjectiveMore difficult to understand, solve, or deal with than something else; more deceptive or devious.
- More difficult to understand, solve, or deal with.
- More deceptive, cunning, or devious.
"The second half of the puzzle proved considerably tricksier than the first."
"Hidden rule changes made the task tricksier than it first appeared."
"The rival advertiser was tricksier than anyone had anticipated."
When a problem grows teeth, it doesn't just get tricky—it gets tricksier.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tricksier
Tricksier is the comparative of tricky and belongs to the English word family formed from trick. The adjective tricky was created from trick with the suffix -y, while trick itself entered Middle English from Old French triquier, ultimately derived from Latin tricae, “difficulties” or “tricks.” Related English forms include trickery, trickster, and tricking.
Related word forms
How tricksier is actually used
The word is conversational and generally less formal than phrases such as more complicated or more deceptive. Both tricksier and trickier are accepted in British and American English, although trickier is more common.
Easily confused with tricksier
Both are comparative forms of tricky, but trickier is the more common spelling, whereas tricksier retains an additional s.