sketchy

[ skech-ee ]

adjective

, sketch·i·er, sketch·i·est.

1. like a sketch; giving only outlines or essentials.

   Synonyms: crude, meager, rough, cursory

2. imperfect, incomplete, slight, or superficial:

   a sketchy meal.

3. Informal.
   1. unreliable or unsafe:

      That street looks pretty sketchy.

   2. disreputable or shady:

      I'd stay away from him; he's got a sketchy past.

sketchy

/ ˈskɛtʃɪ /

adjective

1. characteristic of a sketch; existing only in outline
2. superficial or slight
3. informal.
   uncertain or unreliable

Derived Forms

• ˈsketchiness, noun
• ˈsketchily, adverb

Other Words From

• sketchi·ly adverb
• sketchi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sketchy¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; sketch + -y ¹

Example Sentences

While it’s legally sketchy, it’s also morally dubious.

From Slate

This is despite Verstappen admitting it was “sketchy” and Russell saying the conditions were “undriveable”.

From BBC

This, Verstappen said, was “very sketchy” on tyres running out of tread.

From BBC

“Our involvement becomes very sketchy in such places,” she said.

From Salon

If they get a weird letter; if someone’s been hanging around one of their locations and it seems sketchy or for whatever reason is making people feel uncomfortable — those are things they’re letting us know about,” he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• cursory
• faulty
• inadequate
• insufficient
• perfunctory
• preliminary
• skimpy
• superficial
• vague