gnarly

adj

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

1. Having or characterized by gnarls; gnarled.

   “Out of one window I can see the garden, those mysterious deep-shaded arbors, the riotous old-fashioned flowers, and bushes and gnarly trees.”

2. Excellent; attractive.

   “There ain't nothing gnarlier (apparently) than slapping on some brightly coloured sunblock to ward off the blinding spectre of dangerous, snow-reflected sunlight.”

3. Dangerous; difficult.

   “a gnarly problem”

   “When the swell struck, the North Shore got gnarly, and the wise ones hit the outer islands where the energy was just as juicy but a bit more organized.”

4. Unpleasant, awful, ugly.

   “We're not talking about a lame chick and a gnarly guy. We're talking about a couple of far-out dudes.”

   “Funky Kong: 'Those Snowmads are a gnarly bunch! I hear they're enjoyin' your island. Go get 'em, DK!'”

5. Unpleasant, awful, ugly.

   “[She] displays the same love of gnarly fuzztones and shout-it-out-loud choruses that began back in her daze^([sic]) with local all-girl rockers the Runaways.”