dicey

American  

[dahy-see] / ˈdaɪ si /

adjective

Informal.

dicier, diciest

1. unpredictable; risky; uncertain.

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dicey British  

/ ˈdaɪsɪ /

adjective

1. difficult or dangerous; risky; tricky

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Etymology

Origin of dicey

First recorded in 1935–40; dice + -ey ¹

Example Sentences

Most people with straightforward tax returns probably wouldn’t see any change with IRS operations, Gleckman said, but “if there’s a problem, a glitch or an unusual situation, then things could get a little dicey.”

From MarketWatch

The rain — heavy and steady for days — was needed but deadly, providing relief from dry conditions but causing danger from mudslides, dicey roads and falling trees.

From Los Angeles Times

A December rate cut “is a little dicier than markets have it right now. You’re hanging a lot on the slowdown in nonfarm payrolls,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

But for hikers trapped near the eastern face of Everest, the return was much dicier.

From BBC

But even in that uproarious context, there are plenty of ways that fans still edge into dicey territory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ticklish
• tricky
• uncertain
• unpredictable