iffy

American  

[if-ee] / ˈɪf i /

adjective

Informal.

iffier, iffiest

1. full of unresolved points or questions.

   an iffy situation.

   Synonyms:

   speculative, uncertain, unsettled, doubtful

2. doubtful; questionable.

   An early decision on this is iffy.

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iffy British  

/ ˈɪfɪ /

adjective

1. informal uncertain or subject to contingency

   this scheme sounds a bit iffy

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Other Word Forms

• iffiness noun

Etymology

Origin of iffy

First recorded in 1915–20; if + -y ¹

Explanation

When something's iffy, it's uncertain. You might want to reschedule your picnic if the weather looks iffy. Use the adjective iffy to describe things that might change, or are doubtful. If you break your ankle in June, the chances that you'll be able to run a marathon in August are iffy. You could also say that it's iffy your unreliable cousin will show up at your birthday party on time. Iffy has been around since the 1930's, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt invented it, taking the word if, turning it into an adjective, and using it often.

Example Sentences

The count is iffy because Glass pushes the boundaries between what we tend to call opera and the fuzzier idea of music theater.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

While he says the US can keep the air-to-ground war going for a "long time", the air defence war is "more iffy".

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

But banking on a revival of its energy industry is an iffy proposition.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

One reason for the caution on holiday hiring: Americans’ willingness to spend during the holidays is looking iffy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

When we’re in this iffy mood—the subjunctive mood, if you want to be technical—was becomes were.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner