adj
Uncommon
dodgy
DOJ-ee
Dodgy (adj) means Dishonest or unreliable; not to be trusted. Example: “He bought a dodgy watch from a street vendor.”
adj
1
Dishonest or unreliable; not to be trusted.
"He bought a dodgy watch from a street vendor."
"That excuse sounds a bit dodgy to me."
2
Risky, uncertain, or in poor condition.
"The bridge looked dodgy, so we took the long way round."
How to use dodgy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSuspicious, unreliable, or risky — used of people, deals, objects, or situations.
When to use it
Mainly British informal usage.
Common pairings
a dodgy deal
a dodgy knee
sound dodgy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- dodgier
- Superlative
- dodgiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He bought a _____ watch from a street vendor.
Etymology
From dodge + -y, first recorded in mid-19th-century England.
Class of 1800
dodgy joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
