dicey

[ dahy-see ]

adjective

, Informal.

, dic·i·er, dic·i·est.

1. unpredictable; risky; uncertain.

dicey

/ ˈdaɪsɪ /

adjective

1. difficult or dangerous; risky; tricky

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicey¹

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

Example Sentences

Just a few years ago, the economics of home solar—setting aside the climate benefits—were still dicey in the US.

From Quartz

If even that is dicey, then say you’re recording everyone’s recollections, age notwithstanding.

From Washington Post

It was dicier than it probably needed to be — Ohio State led 35-7 early in the second half -— but Ryan Day’s team earned the result it needed.

From Washington Post

Every SaaS and cloud company crushed Q3, but Q4 is looking a bit more dicey.

From TechCrunch

Good edge engagement is critical to skiing fast, navigating dicey conditions, and maintaining control.

From Outside Online

Thus the administration is hit from all sides—at a moment in which it is trying to pursue its dicey diplomatic agenda.

From The Daily Beast

I ask about school performance and behavioral concerns, which can sometimes be dicey.

From The Daily Beast

If the U.S. loses to Germany and one of Portugal or Ghana get a win, however, things get dicey.

From The Daily Beast

Taking more than a day and several iterations of a story to acknowledge it is where things get dicey.

From The Daily Beast

There was the time Harold helped the boys, fixing that dicey scene with Walter Winchell.

From The Daily Beast

Mr Dicey looked very grave and wise for a few seconds without answering.

From Project Gutenberg

The appearance of the sledge immediately after, with a shout and a cheer from Dicey and the men, explained the mystery.

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary, they gave him a donation party next week, at which Sister Dicey helped him to receive his guests.

From Project Gutenberg

He gets much help from 'a chapter on semi-sovereign assemblies in Dicey's Law of the Constitution (p. 280).

From Project Gutenberg

If the proper names, Jim Orpus and Dicey, had not been given, we might not feel absolutely certain that the story was borrowed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ticklish
• tricky
• uncertain
• unpredictable