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gnarly
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
qualitative
Superlative
gnarliest
Comparative
gnarlier
gradable
Examples
The old oak tree had a gnarly trunk that told stories of many storms.
02
extremely challenging, often involving difficult or risky situations
Examples
The gnarly skateboard trick required a lot of practice before he could land it successfully.
Examples
The movie had some gnarly scenes that were hard to watch.
04
having an excellent quality
Slang
What does "gnarly" mean in slang?
The adjective "gnarly" can mean something is impressive, extreme, or very good, especially in surf, skate, and action sports culture. The structure originally comes from "gnarled," meaning twisted or rough, but it shifted in slang to describe intense or standout experiences. Depending on context, it can also still mean something harsh, dangerous, or unpleasant, but in positive usage it emphasizes high intensity or skill.
Examples
The skateboard tricks he pulled off were absolutely gnarly!
