fishy

[fish-ee]

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.

fishy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• fishily adverb
• fishiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fishy¹

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

Example Sentences

Fans often press him for the scoop on Trout, he said, with some version of this line: “You guys share the same fishy last name, and he’s Mr. Angel just like you.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I cannot say for sure, but something sure smells fishy,” Larson wrote in the email.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the source of the smell of the sea, that sort of fishy, sort of eggy aroma that evokes deeply nostalgic reactions in, well, almost everyone.

From Salon

After numerous requests for payment, Adam pulled the website when his team were presented with a "fishy" looking document as proof of incoming funding.

From BBC

Naturally they are good-looking, because this is television, and fit, because you need to be to do this; most have professional expertise in fishy, watery or wild things.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dubious 
• odd