How to pronounce tricky
Say it like TRIK-ee. Tricky has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tricky. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TRIK
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tricky pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TRIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of tricky
American and British speakers say tricky in essentially the same way: /ˈtrɪki/ in the US and /ˈtrɪki/ in the UK.
British respelling: TRIK-ee.
What does tricky mean?
- not to be trusted“how extraordinarily slippery a liar the camera is”
- having concealed difficulty“a catchy question”“a tricky recipe to follow”
- marked by skill in deception“cunning men often pass for wise”“deep political machinations”
Where does tricky come from?
From trick + -y.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tricky
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tricky.
Questions about saying tricky
How do you pronounce tricky?
Say TRIK-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈtrɪki/. In British English it is /ˈtrɪki/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tricky?
Tricky has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRIK). Broken into parts: TRIK · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say tricky the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtrɪki/ and the British form is /ˈtrɪki/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.