Dictionary

cat's cradle

noun

: a game played with a string that is wrapped around your fingers in complex patterns

: something that is very complicated

Full Definition of CAT'S CRADLE

1
:  a game in which a string looped in a pattern like a cradle on the fingers of one person's hands is transferred to the hands of another so as to form a different figure
2
:  something that is intricate, complicated, or elaborate <a cat's cradle of red tape>
ADVERTISEMENT

Illustration of CAT'S CRADLE

First Known Use of CAT'S CRADLE

1754

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: cat scratch diseasePrevious Word in the Dictionary: cat schoonerAll Words Near: cat's cradle
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears