Tricksome is a word that can be a bit tricksy to spell! Its first syllable is pronounced "trik," like the word "trick," and its second syllable is pronounced "suhm," like the word "some." But be careful not to add an extra "o" or "m" in there! Tricksome means causing trouble or difficulty, and is often used to describe a challenging task or situation. With a little practice, you'll find that spelling tricksome is no longer a tricksy task!
Tricksome is an adjective that primarily refers to something or someone that is difficult to handle, manage, or deal with due to being characterized by deceptiveness, cunning, or cleverness. It is used to describe situations, tasks, objects, or individuals that pose challenges or are hard to figure out or control due to their complex or intricate nature.
The term suggests that the subject in question is full of tricks or deceptive qualities, requiring careful consideration or skillful strategies to successfully navigate or master. It embodies the notion of being inclined to mislead, deceive, or play tricks on others. One might describe a puzzle as tricksome if it is designed to intentionally confuse or mislead the solver. Similarly, a person displaying cunning or sly behavior that tends to intentionally deceive or manipulate others could be labeled as tricksome.
Tricksome can also convey a sense of mischievousness or playfulness, often associated with practical jokes or pranks, where the intent is to surprise or confuse someone. In this context, it can describe the actions of individuals who enjoy engaging in playful or deceptive behavior for amusement or entertainment purposes.
The word "tricksome" is derived from combining two separate elements: "trick" and "-some".
1. Trick: The word "trick" comes from Middle English "trikken", which means to deceive or cheat. It is related to the Old North French word "trichier" and the Middle Dutch and Middle Low German word "trecken", both of which also mean to deceive. The origins of "trikken" can be traced back to the Middle High German word "trechen", which means to entice or allure.
2. -some: "-some" is a suffix primarily used to form adjectives, indicating some characteristic or tendency. It originates from the Old English suffix "-sum", which also meant characterized by or inclined to.
Combining these elements, "tricksome" ultimately means inclined to deceive or cheat, characterized by deceitful behavior.