fishy

American  

[fish-ee] / ˈfɪʃ i /

adjective

fishier, fishiest

1. like a fish in shape, smell, taste, or the like.

2. consisting of fish.

3. abounding in fish.

4. Informal. improbable, as a story; unlikely.

5. Informal. of questionable character; suspicious.

   The sudden knockout was fishy.

   Synonyms:

   dubious, suspect, strange, queer, peculiar

6. dull and expressionless.

   fishy eyes.

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fishy British  

/ ˈfɪʃɪ /

adjective

1. of, involving, or suggestive of fish

2. abounding in fish

3. informal suspicious, doubtful, or questionable

   their leaving at the same time looked fishy

4. dull and lifeless

   a fishy look

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Other Word Forms

• fishily adverb
• fishiness noun

Etymology

Origin of fishy

First recorded in 1540–50; fish + -y ¹

Example Sentences

One of them concluded that a proposed deal negotiated by Oman’s foreign minister “smelled fishy.”

From Salon

There’s hardly a sweeter spot in the country for a fishy meal by the sea.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The officer observed the vehicle again and thought it was fishy,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

"Also, we have corporate sanctioned mobile devices and this came in via his personal phone. So that made him think this was potentially a little murky, a little fishy."

From BBC

It didn’t help that I stank of the filthy, fishy water in the boat, which had dried and crusted over me.

From Literature

Related Words

• dubious
• odd