World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesKnacknuss
Pronunciation / Transliteration: knak-noos
"Diese Aufgabe ist eine echte Knacknuss für uns alle."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A difficult problem, question, or situation that is hard to deal with or solve.
"The final exam question was a real toughie that left most of the students puzzled." - 2
A person, especially a child, who is strong, resilient, or acts tough.
"Despite scraping his knee, the little toughie refused to cry and kept on playing."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'tough' combined with the diminutive/familiar suffix '-ie' or '-y', originating in late 19th-century informal English. It initially referred to a tough or hardened person, but has evolved in modern usage to commonly designate a difficult problem, question, or situation.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Toughie"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Toughie" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
problème difficile
Transliteration: problema difisil
"Cette énigme est un vrai problème difficile à résoudre."
Knacknuss
Transliteration: knak-noos
"Diese Aufgabe ist eine echte Knacknuss für uns alle."
osso duro
Transliteration: osso duro
"Questo esame si è rivelato un osso duro da superare."
hueso duro de roer
Transliteration: weso duro de roer
"Aquel acertijo resultó ser un hueso duro de roer."
osso duros
Transliteration: oso duro
Script: osso duro
"Essa questão da prova foi um osso duro de roer."
कठिन समस्या
Transliteration: kathin samasya
"यह परीक्षा का प्रश्न एक कठिन समस्या साबित हुआ।"
棘手的问题
Transliteration: jíshǒu de wèntí
"这个问题真是一个棘手的问题。"
난문제
Transliteration: nanmunje
"이번 시험의 마지막 문제는 풀기 벅찬 난문제였다."
難問
Transliteration: nanmon
"そのパズルは解くのが非常に難しい難問だった。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all German termsA visitor or attendee whose arrival was not anticipated or announced beforehand.
Causing strong emotional or ideological reactions because it relates to political issues, power dynamics, or government policies.
Deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss; the state of being saved.
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