shifty — appearing deceitful or untrustworthy; evasive or furtive
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: appearing deceitful or untrustworthy; evasive or furtive
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʃɪfti/
Example Sentences
- The shifty salesman kept avoiding direct questions about the car's history.
- My cat looks shifty whenever I catch him near the fish tank.
- Don't trust that shifty contractor who won't provide written estimates.
shifty
ADJECTIVE[/ˈʃɪfti/]
appearing deceitful or untrustworthy; evasive or furtive
someone appearing deceitful and untrustworthy through evasive and furtive actions
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the English verb 'shift' meaning 'to move or change position' plus the suffix '-y'. The word developed its meaning of 'untrustworthy' in the 1800s from the idea of someone whose eyes or behavior constantly shifts around.
Breakdown
shift (to move or change position) + -y (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The shifty salesman kept avoiding direct questions about the car's history.”
“My cat looks shifty whenever I catch him near the fish tank.”
“Don't trust that shifty contractor who won't provide written estimates.”
“He gave me a shifty grin and disappeared with my last slice of pizza.”
📚Related Words
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