adj
Uncommon
sketchy
SKEHT-shee
Sketchy (adj) means Incomplete or lacking in detail; only roughly outlined. Example: “The details of the plan were still pretty sketchy.”
adj
1
Incomplete or lacking in detail; only roughly outlined.
"The details of the plan were still pretty sketchy."
2
Informal: suspicious, dishonest-seeming, or unsafe.
"He met the seller in a sketchy parking lot after dark."
"Something about her story felt sketchy."
How to use sketchy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "not fully worked out" or, in casual speech, "shady and untrustworthy."
When to use it
The "shady/suspicious" sense is informal, common in everyday conversation.
Common pairings
sketchy details
sketchy neighborhood
sound sketchy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- sketchier
- Superlative
- sketchiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The details of the plan were still pretty _____.
Etymology
From "sketch" plus "-y," originally meaning rough and unfinished like a sketch.
Related words
Rhymes for sketchy
See all rhymes for sketchy →Frequently asked questions
What does “sketchy” mean?
The word “sketchy” means incomplete or lacking in detail; only roughly outlined. In plain terms, either "not fully worked out" or, in casual speech, "shady and untrustworthy.".
How do you pronounce “sketchy”?
“Sketchy” is pronounced SKEHT-shee (/ˈskɛt͡ʃi/ in IPA).
How do you use “sketchy” in a sentence?
Here is “sketchy” used in a sentence: “The details of the plan were still pretty sketchy.”
What is another word for “sketchy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sketchy” include dicey, dodgy, dubious, seedy and shady.
What part of speech is “sketchy”?
“Sketchy” is an adjective.
Is “sketchy” a common word?
“Sketchy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sketchy” have?
“Sketchy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: incomplete or lacking in detail; only roughly outlined.
