English Explanatory Dictionary

gnarly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Having or characterized by gnarls; gnarled.
  2. Excellent; attractive.
  3. Dangerous; difficult.
  4. Unpleasant, awful, ugly.
  5. Of music or a sound: harsh.

Pronunciation

/ˈnɑːli/ närʹli /ˈnɑɹli/ en-au-gnarly.ogg

Word forms

gnarly gnarlier gnarliest

Etymology

From gnarl (“knot in wood”) + -y. The slang senses were particularly popularized by US surf culture in the 1970s.

Synonyms

cool rad wicked dreadful nasty awful gnarled knobbly knobby awesome discordant

Derived words

gnarliness gnarlsome
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