furtive
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for furtive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Done secretly or slyly, often to avoid detection.
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.
Antonyms
How to use furtive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
furtive glance
furtive look
furtive movement
Etymology
From Latin furtivus ("stolen, secret, hidden"), from furtum ("theft"), from fur ("thief").
Full origin of furtive →Frequently asked questions
What does “furtive” mean?
The word “furtive” means done secretly or slyly, often to avoid detection. In plain terms, sneaky and secretive, as if trying not to be noticed or caught.
How do you pronounce “furtive”?
“Furtive” is pronounced FUR-tihv (/ˈfɝtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “furtive” in a sentence?
Here is “furtive” used in a sentence: “He gave a furtive glance over his shoulder before slipping through the door.”
What part of speech is “furtive”?
“Furtive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “furtive” come from?
The word “furtive” comes from Latin. From Latin furtivus ("stolen, secret, hidden"), from furtum ("theft"), from fur ("thief").
