adjective
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given to evasions; artful
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furtive in character or appearance
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full of expedients; resourceful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shifty
Explanation
To be shifty is to be sneaky and devious. Shifty behavior is untrustworthy. Sometimes people shift around when they're nervous. That can help you remember the meaning of shifty, which describes someone who may not be literally shifting around, but they’re acting in a way that makes you think they're up to no good. Lying is shifty behavior. A fake ID is shifty. Asking a lot of questions about where money is kept is shifty too. Shifty actions and words are deceitful or suspicious. When someone acts shifty, others distrust them.
Vocabulary lists containing shifty
Norse Mythology
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Wink
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Bird-watchers are tense, competitive, selfish, shifty, dishonest, distrusting, boorish, pedantic, unsentimental, arrogant and - above all, envious" he wrote.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Trying to look manly and tough when your entire regime, from the top on down, consists of shifty characters with a wide range of obvious personality disorders might seem like a categorical error.
From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2026
On the hunt for her next scoop—“the kind of thing people kill for”—she makes an appointment with a shifty potential source.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
Davis, an All-Pro punt returner in his rookie campaign with shifty speed, looks to get more snaps on offense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2024
His shifty eyes fell on me, rolled away.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
DeBoer has historically utilized smaller, shiftier backs with an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 22, 2022
While former coach Jimmy Lake attempted to assemble an armada of battering rams, Dumas — a lighter, shiftier option — led New Mexico with 658 rushing yards as a true freshman last fall.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 7, 2022
Moss’ physical straight-ahead running style is expected to complement starting running back Devin Singletary’s shiftier approach.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 25, 2020
If an opponent uses a shiftier player who can put the ball on the floor at power forward, Humphries and Gooden must leave their comfort zones and guard him on the perimeter.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 6, 2015
Their shiftier shapes might have held a message that in my new happiness and with a little bit of time I’d soon decipher.
From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
But those multimillion-dollar views come with a problem no amount of money can fix: The homes are built on some of the shiftiest and most unreliable soil in California.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2025
A four-star recruit from nearby Tampa and the shiftiest player on the Gators’ roster, Napier had seen enough of Wilson during fall camp to realize the true freshman could help right away.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
So far, Lee has been Penn State’s shiftiest back.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2021
The Dodgers and Rays are among the "shiftiest" teams in the majors.
From Fox News ● May 23, 2019
You’re the shiftiest chef that ever juggled a fryin’ pan.
From Odd Numbers Being Further Chronicles of Shorty McCabe by Sewell Ford
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
