shifty

shifty

adjective \ˈshif-tē\

shift·i·ershift·i·est

Definition of SHIFTY

1

: full of or ready with expedients : resourceful

2

a : given to deception, evasion, or fraud : tricky

b : capable of evasive movement : elusive <a shifty boxer>

3

: indicative of a tricky nature <shifty eyes>

— shift·i·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb

— shift·i·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

Examples of SHIFTY

1. <shifty politicians making deals to channel federal funds into their districts>
2. <shifty practices such as turning back the odometers on used cars>

First Known Use of SHIFTY

circa 1570

Related to SHIFTY

Synonyms

furtive, shady, sneaky, slippery, sly, sneaking, stealthy

Antonyms

aboveboard, honest, straight

Related Words

artful, crafty, cunning, devious, foxy, guileful, slick, wily; close, closemouthed, reticent, secretive; clandestine, covert, dark; deceitful, deceiving, deceptive, devious, duplicitous, trickish, tricky, underhand, underhanded; cheating, crooked, defrauding, dishonest, dissembling, double-dealing, knavish, two-faced; lying, mendacious, untrustworthy, untruthful; insidious, perfidious, serpentine, treacherous

Near Antonyms

aboveboard, forthright, plainspoken, straightforward; candid, direct, foursquare, frank, open, plain; honest, trustworthy, truthful

Rhymes with SHIFTY

drifty, fifty, nifty, thrifty, wifty