adjective
underhanded
Underhanded (adjective) means Dishonest, sly, or deceitful. Example: “They accused the manager of underhanded business practices.”
adjective
1
Dishonest, sly, or deceitful.
"They accused the manager of underhanded business practices."
"It was an underhanded way to win the vote."
2
Short-staffed.
"The restaurant was underhanded on the busiest night of the year."
How to use underhanded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSneaky and dishonest, usually describing tactics or behavior.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with underhand (the throwing motion) — underhanded almost always means dishonest.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
underhanded tactics
underhanded scheme
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like underhanded.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- the underhanded
- Comparative
- more underhanded
- Superlative
- most underhanded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They accused the manager of _____ business practices.
Etymology
From under- + handed.
Related words
Rhymes for underhanded
See all rhymes for underhanded →Frequently asked questions
What does “underhanded” mean?
The word “underhanded” means dishonest, sly, or deceitful. In plain terms, sneaky and dishonest, usually describing tactics or behavior.
How do you use “underhanded” in a sentence?
Here is “underhanded” used in a sentence: “They accused the manager of underhanded business practices.”
What part of speech is “underhanded”?
“Underhanded” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “underhanded” have?
“Underhanded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dishonest, sly, or deceitful.
