squirrely

American  

[skwur-uh-lee, skwuhr-, skwir-] / ˈskwɜr ə li, ˈskwʌr-, ˈskwɪr- /

Or squirrelly

adjective

Slang.

1. eccentric; flighty.

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Usage

What does squirrely mean? Squirrely is a slang term meaning eccentric, flighty, or slightly odd, as in There was something squirrely about the way the suspect gave his alibi.Squirrely is used very informally and is often used to describe several different types of behavior.Have you ever seen a squirrel dash back and forth across the road, not actually getting to either side? It might look to you like they can’t decide which side of the road they want to be on. You could describe this behavior as a bit erratic or unpredictable. And when you see a person behave like this, you might call their behavior squirrely.Squirrely can be used to describe actions that are vaguely odd or strange. You might not be able to say precisely what was odd about someone’s behavior, but your instinct tells you that it’s not quite right. It’s a little suspicious. That’s squirrely.Squirrely can also be spelled squirrelly.Example: This squirrely kid kept asking me weird questions and I didn’t know what to do.

Etymology

Origin of squirrely

First recorded in 1930–35; squirrel + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The film is a two-hander shared by Oscar winners: a formidable Russell Crowe as Göring and a squirrely Rami Malek as Kelley.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

“He was a squirrely, wrinkly thing,” Richardson says.

From Scientific American • Jul. 25, 2023

"If that makes you a little squirrely, having bacon grease, well, then you're not going to like this cornbread," Jordan said of his family's choice of fat.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2022

That seems so squirrely, because who’s to know what someone intended?

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2021

He eyed the porkpie hat tilted on Train Ear’s squirrely head.

From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia