Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having or full of knots: Describes something that contains one or more knots, which are intertwinings or lumps in a material like rope, wood, or hair.
   • Tangled or intricately involved: Can describe a situation, problem, or feeling that is complex and difficult to resolve.
   • Stiff and muscular, especially from tension: Describes muscles that are tight and bunched, often due to stress or strain.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The sailor untied the knotted rope. (The rope had many knots in it.)
  • She had a knotted feeling in her stomach before the exam. (She felt a complex, tight feeling of anxiety.)
  • After the long hike, his shoulders were knotted with tension. (His shoulder muscles were tight and stiff.)

Advanced Usage

• "To get knotted" (UK, informal, idiomatic): A rude expression telling someone to go away or expressing strong annoyance.
  • When he was rude to her, she told him to get knotted.
• Describing wood or trees with a gnarled, lumpy appearance.
  • The old, knotted oak tree stood in the middle of the field.

Variants and Related Words

• Knot (noun/verb): The noun form meaning a fastening or tangle, and the verb meaning to tie in a knot.
  • He learned to knot his tie.
• Knotty (adjective): Similar to 'knotted' but often used more for abstract, complex problems.
  • They faced a knotty legal issue.
• Unknotted (adjective): The opposite state; not having knots.
  • The unknotted string was easy to use.

Synonyms

• Tangled: Twisted together untidily.
• Gnarled: Knobbly, rough, and twisted, especially with age (often for wood or hands).
• Complex: Involved and complicated.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Tie the knot (idiom): To get married.
  • They finally decided to tie the knot next summer.
• Knot together: To fasten or join things by tying knots.
  • She knotted the two ropes together securely.

Related Idioms

• At a rate of knots (UK, informal): Very fast.
  • She finished the work at a rate of knots.
• Cut the Gordian knot: To solve a complex problem with a bold, decisive action.
  • The new manager cut the Gordian knot by restructuring the entire department.

Adjective

1. used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
   • gnarled and knotted hands
   • a knobbed stick
2. tied with a knot
   • his carefully knotted necktie