Furtive Meaning in English
word
ˈfɝtɪv
FUR-tiv
fˈɜːtɪv
FUR-tiv
Definition
Acting in a way that tries to avoid being noticed, often because of guilt or because you do not want to get caught.
Usage & Nuances
Used in formal or literary contexts to describe secretive or sneaky actions, often with negative or suspicious connotations. Common phrases: 'furtive glance', 'furtive movement'. Not usually used for harmless secrets.
Spanish: furtivo - sigilosoPortuguese (BR): furtivo - dissimuladoPortuguese (PT): furtivo - dissimuladoChinese (Simplified): 鬼鬼祟祟的 - 偷偷的Chinese (Traditional): 鬼鬼祟祟的 - 偷偷的Hindi: चुपके से किया गया - गुप्तArabic: خفي - سريBengali: গোপন - চুপিচুপি - লুকিয়েRussian: скрытый - тайный - украдкийJapanese: こそこそした - ひそかなVietnamese: lén lút - lén lỏiKorean: 은밀한 - 몰래 하는Turkish: gizli - kaçamak - sinsiUrdu: چوری چھپے - خفیہ - پوشیدہIndonesian: diam-diam - secara sembunyi-sembunyi
Example Sentences
He gave a furtive look at the answer sheet during the test.
basic
The cat made a furtive movement toward the bird.
basic
She took a furtive bite of the cake when no one was looking.
basic
They exchanged furtive glances across the room.
natural
He slipped out of the meeting in a furtive manner, hoping no one would notice.
natural
There was something furtive about his smile that made me suspicious.
natural