dodgy
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for dodgy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Dishonest or unreliable; not to be trusted.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Dishonest or unreliable; not to be trusted.
“He bought a dodgy watch from a street vendor.”
2. adj
Risky, uncertain, or in poor condition.
“The bridge looked dodgy, so we took the long way round.”
Opposites
How to use dodgy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a dodgy deal
a dodgy knee
sound dodgy
Mainly British informal usage.
Etymology
From dodge + -y, first recorded in mid-19th-century England.
Full origin of dodgy →Frequently asked questions
What does “dodgy” mean?
The word “dodgy” means dishonest or unreliable; not to be trusted. In plain terms, suspicious, unreliable, or risky — used of people, deals, objects, or situations.
How do you pronounce “dodgy”?
“Dodgy” is pronounced DOJ-ee (/ˈdɒd͡ʒ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “dodgy” in a sentence?
Here is “dodgy” used in a sentence: “He bought a dodgy watch from a street vendor.”
What is another word for “dodgy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dodgy” include dodge.
What part of speech is “dodgy”?
“Dodgy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dodgy” come from?
The word “dodgy” dates back to around 1800. From dodge + -y, first recorded in mid-19th-century England.
Is “dodgy” a common word?
“Dodgy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dodgy” have?
“Dodgy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dishonest or unreliable; not to be trusted.
