shifty
word
Definition
Describes someone who looks dishonest or seems like they are hiding something. A shifty person may make others feel suspicious or uneasy.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal and often negative; describes both appearance and behavior. Often paired with 'eyes' ("shifty eyes"). Different from 'clever,' which can be positive; 'shifty' implies dishonesty or suspicious motives.
Spanish: sospechoso - astuto (negativo)Portuguese (BR): suspeito - astuto (sentido negativo)Portuguese (PT): suspeito - astuto (sentido negativo)Chinese (Simplified): 鬼鬼祟祟的 - 狡猾的Chinese (Traditional): 鬼鬼祟祟的 - 狡猾的Hindi: चालाक (नकारात्मक अर्थ में) - संदिग्धArabic: مريب - مخادع
Example Sentences
He gave me a shifty look and walked away quickly.
basic
The man with the shifty eyes made everyone nervous.
basic
I don't trust people who seem shifty.
basic
He sounded shifty when I asked where he’d been all night.
natural
She avoided eye contact in a shifty way during the interview.
natural
There's something shifty about that deal—it just doesn't feel right.
natural