Definition

In a manner that is complicated or difficult to understand, often involving knots or tangles.

Example

The story was told knottily, making it hard to follow the plot.

Conversation

I tried to untangle my headphones last night, but they were all knottily twisted together.

Oh no, that sounds frustrating!

Yeah, I had to spend like ten minutes just to get them free.

I hate it when that happens; they always manage to get knottily tangled in my bag too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Knottily → It is formed from "knot" (from Old English *cnotta*, meaning a fastening made by tying) and the suffix "-ily" (meaning in a manner). The word "knottily" describes doing something in a manner that involves knots or is complicated like knots.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'knot' as a way of fastening things together, and when something is done 'knottily', it means it's done in a complicated or tangled way, just like a knot.

Visually Confused Words