iffy

adjective

if·​fy ˈi-fē 

1

: having many uncertain or unknown qualities or conditions

an iffy proposition

2

: of inconsistent or unreliable quality

iffiness noun

Examples of iffy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both teams could be missing key targets with Raiders TE Brock Bowers and LAC WR Lad McConkey both iffy. — Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Filtered through a producer’s spreadsheet, the prospect is iffy. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

The zombies despise water and are connected to a lab experiment that involves chimps (the special effects get a bit iffy there). — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

And benign inflation readings combined with iffy payrolls and retail-sales data have curtailed market expectations for Fed rate hikes. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

if entry 1

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for iffy

• jiffy

Kids Definition

iffy

adjective

if·​fy ˈif-ē 

1

: having many uncertain or unknown qualities or conditions

an iffy situation

2

: of inconsistent or unreliable quality

iffiness noun