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Definition of gnarled

gnarled

/nɑːrld/
gnarled
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gnarled Lexical Profile

gnarled Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Knobbly, rough, and twisted, especially with age or weather exposure (typically said of a tree trunk, branch, or root).

Example

"The ancient oak tree had thick, gnarled roots that pushed up through the forest floor."

2

Bent, weather-beaten, and misshapen from hard physical labor, advanced age, or arthritis (especially of a person's hands or fingers).

Example

"The retired carpenter held the chisel steady in his strong, gnarled hands."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for gnarled

• Nearby Words

glyph
glyptodon
gnarl
gnarled
gnarly
gnash
gnashers

Word Origin & Etymology

First popularized by William Shakespeare in Measure for Measure (around 1603) as a variant of the earlier Middle English 'knurled', referring to a knot or bump in wood.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gnarled. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gnarled
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