sketchy

American  

[skech-ee] / ˈskɛtʃ i /

adjective

sketchier, sketchiest

1. like a sketch; giving only outlines or essentials.

   Synonyms:

   crude , meager , rough , cursory

2. imperfect, incomplete, slight, or superficial.

   a sketchy meal.

3. Informal.

   1. unreliable or unsafe.

      That street looks pretty sketchy.

   2. disreputable or shady.

      I'd stay away from him; he's got a sketchy past.

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sketchy British  

/ ˈskɛtʃɪ /

adjective

1. characteristic of a sketch; existing only in outline

2. superficial or slight

3. informal  uncertain or unreliable

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Other Word Forms

• sketchily adverb
• sketchiness noun

Etymology

Origin of sketchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; sketch + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Yet it feels personal when you have been fooled, whether it's giving $5 to some sketchy charity, or buying that fake masterpiece.

From Salon

They are having trouble interacting with emails and texts, websites and apps, often missing the ability to detect phishing scams or sketchy websites.

From Seattle Times

In many cases the information is sketchy - for instance, a message from a hospital giving the age, sex and time of admission of a gunshot victim.

From BBC

This one though is sketchy from start to finish, with nearly every scene feeling like it’s missing a few elements: like a larger cast, more set decoration, or a plot.

From Los Angeles Times

Dylan O’Brien plays Simon, a younger and sketchier bomb-thrower, who teams up with Rick to take down a rising Democratic candidate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cursory
• faulty
• inadequate
• insufficient
• perfunctory
• preliminary
• skimpy
• superficial
• vague