shifty
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for shifty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Looking or behaving as if dishonest or untrustworthy; evasive.
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 shifty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shifty eyes
a shifty character
look shifty
Etymology
Built from shift + -y, originally describing someone resourceful with "shifts" (tricks or schemes), which shifted toward meaning dishonest.
Full origin of shifty →Frequently asked questions
What does “shifty” mean?
The word “shifty” means looking or behaving as if dishonest or untrustworthy; evasive. In plain terms, seeming dishonest or suspicious, often through nervous or evasive behaviour.
How do you pronounce “shifty”?
“Shifty” is pronounced SHIHF-tee (/ˈʃɪfti/ in IPA).
How do you use “shifty” in a sentence?
Here is “shifty” used in a sentence: “He gave a shifty answer when asked where he had been.”
What part of speech is “shifty”?
“Shifty” is an adjective.
