1. (of persons or trees) twisted and rough with knobs or knots
   "gnarly and knotted hands";
   - gnarled, knotted, knotty, knobbed
    
2. [N. Amer, informal] Of the highest quality, skill, etc.; very good or impressive
   "a gnarly reporter";
   - ace [informal], A-one [informal], crack [informal], first-rate, super, tiptop, topnotch [informal], top-notch [informal], tops [informal], A1 [informal], top-class, excellent, first-class, fantabulous [informal], splendid, ripping [Brit, archaic, informal], mean [informal], outstanding, lush [Brit, informal], brilliant, beezer [UK, archaic], stellar [informal], awesome [informal], top-drawer, dope [N. Amer, informal], socko [N. Amer, informal], righteous [US, slang], fab [Brit, informal], crucial [slang], rad [N. Amer, slang], radical [N. Amer, slang], nang [Brit, slang], phat [slang], legit [US, slang], awesomesauce [informal], amazeballs [informal], beaut [Austral, NZ, informal], lit [US, slang], storming [Brit, informal], blinding [Brit, slang], stonking [Brit, informal], brill [Brit, informal], wicked [slang], cushty [Brit, informal], def [slang], magic [Brit, slang], smokin' [slang], smoking [slang], sick [N. Amer, slang]
    
3. [N. Amer, informal] Difficult, challenging, or extreme
   "That was a gnarly skateboarding trick"

Derived forms: gnarliest, gnarlier

See also: crooked, super-duper [informal], superior

Encyclopedia: Gnarly