shifty

adjective

ˈshif-tē 

shiftier; shiftiest

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

shiftily

ˈshif-tə-lē 

adverb

shiftiness

ˈshif-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• furtive
• shady
• slippery
• sly
• sneaking
• sneaky
• stealthy

Examples of shifty in a Sentence

shifty politicians making deals to channel federal funds into their districts

shifty practices such as turning back the odometers on used cars

Recent Examples on the Web

The King’s Academy forward is shifty, but doesn’t play fast. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

In an era of big point guards like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden, the smaller, shiftier players like Dillingham are becoming more unique. —Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

Gor’s mercenaries are soon on their tails, along with MI6, led by Baron (Andrew Scott), a shifty type with a longtime crush on Emily, despite not making it past the first date years earlier. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

To catch the shifty shrew on film for the first time, Vishal Subramanyan, Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes planned a three-day expedition. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shifty

adjective

ˈshif-tē 

shiftier; shiftiest

1

: not worthy of trust : tricky

2

: indicating a tricky character

shifty eyes

shiftily

-tə-lē 

adverb

shiftiness

-tē-nəs 

noun