stealthy

American  

[stel-thee] / ˈstɛl θi /

adjective

stealthier, stealthiest

1. done, characterized, or acting by stealth; furtive.

   stealthy footsteps.

---

ˈstealthy British  

/ ˈstɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by great caution, secrecy, etc; furtive

---

Other Word Forms

• stealthily adverb
• stealthiness noun
• unstealthiness noun
• unstealthy adjective

Etymology

Origin of stealthy

First recorded in 1595–1605; stealth + -y ¹

Example Sentences

But he has his own stealthy sense of humor.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rule serves an important purpose, the judge said, in preventing stealthy takeovers on the cheap.

From Barron's

And Mr. McKellen is mildly avuncular, radiating a stealthy, benevolent attitude.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since then, the U.S. has equipped F-15Es, which aren’t stealthy, with air-to-air rockets that are specially designed to knock out drones.

From The Wall Street Journal

The more dramatic opening with stealthy guitar licks sets up Mr. Frampton’s superb rock solos and talk box and Mr. Mayo’s jazzy interlude on electric piano.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crafty