furtive
[fur-tiv]
- taken, done, used, etc., surreptitiously or by stealth; secret: a furtive glance.
- sly; shifty: a furtive manner.
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Origin of furtive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
quietlyclandestinelysurreptitiouslycovertlyprivatelypersonallyfurtivelystealthilyshrewdlysecretlycunninglycraftilyconfidentiallyhush-hushintimatelyobscurelyslylyinsidiouslyprivilyunobservedExamples from the Web for furtively
Contemporary Examples
Afterward, Oswald develops the photographs at his job, furtively.
The appeal: they are “judgment-free zones where the like-minded can mingle freely and furtively.”
On the night of Feb. 11, 2011, Sherif Mansour walked onto his balcony, furtively lit a cigarette, and began to cry.
Schon, Michaele once furtively told me, was one of the true loves of her life.
“I think people are furtively hoping that Hillary runs,” she said.
Historical Examples
Faust gave a little start and searched Dixon's face, furtively.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
Chip held the creams to a walk and furtively watched his companion.
Chip, of the Flying UB. M. Bower
If they watched me furtively whenever I went out of doors, I affected not to see it.
Green MansionsW. H. Hudson
That evening in his library, from my seat by the table, I furtively watched my father's face.
The HarborErnest Poole
Not once did they suggest a meeting, nor did they ever furtively exchange a kiss.
Therese RaquinEmile Zola
furtive
- characterized by stealth; sly and secretive
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin furtīvus stolen, clandestine, from furtum a theft, from fūr a thief; related to Greek phōr thief
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for furtively
furtive
adj.
late 15c. (implied in furtively), from French furtif, from Latin furtivus "stolen, hidden, secret," from furtum "theft, robbery," from fur (genitive furis) "thief," probably from PIE *bhor-, from root *bher- (1) "to carry" (see infer). Related: Furtiveness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper