shifty

[ shif-tee ]

adjective

, shift·i·er, shift·i·est.

1. resourceful; fertile in expedients.
2. given to or full of evasions; tricky.

   Synonyms: slippery, foxy, crafty

3. suggesting a deceptive or evasive character:

   a shifty look.

shifty

/ ˈʃɪftɪ /

adjective

1. given to evasions; artful
2. furtive in character or appearance
3. full of expedients; resourceful

Derived Forms

• ˈshiftiness, noun
• ˈshiftily, adverb

Other Words From

• shifti·ly adverb
• shifti·ness noun
• un·shifty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shifty¹

First recorded in 1560–70; shift + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“But I also want to be known as a guy who can be 6-3 and 200 pounds, and guard the short, shifty receiver in the slot. I want to be an all-around corner.”

From Los Angeles Times

More information about the death of Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock has come to light, three months after the rap-rock performer died in June.

From Los Angeles Times

The manager of Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock says the singer ‘really wanted to get himself fixed’ before he died earlier this week.

From Los Angeles Times

He added: “We all tried, but ultimately, we all failed, or Shifty would still be here.”

From Los Angeles Times

So I was rather pleased with some of what she had to say and actually what ex-President Trump had to say, but I get a very shifty vibe from him.

From BBC

Related Words

• cagey
• crafty
• shrewd
• slippery
• sneaky
• tricky
• wily