Definition of Shifty

1. Adjective. Characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive. "Shifty eyes"

Exact synonyms: Devious
Similar to: Untrustworthy, Untrusty
Derivative terms: Deviousness, Shiftiness

2. Adjective. Changing position or direction. "Shifty winds"
Exact synonyms: Shifting
Similar to: Unsteady
Derivative terms: Shift, Shiftiness

Definition of Shifty

1. a. Full of, or ready with, shifts; fertile in expedients or contrivance.

Definition of Shifty

1. Adjective. Having the appearance of someone dishonest, criminal or unreliable; such as someone with ''shifty eyes''. ¹

2. Adjective. Subject to frequent changes in direction. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Shifty

1. tricky [adj SHIFTIER, SHIFTIEST] : SHIFTILY [adv] - See also: tricky

Lexicographical Neighbors of Shifty

shifting dullness
shifting executory interest
shifting executory interests
shifting pacemaker
shiftingly
shiftings
shiftless
shiftlessly
shiftlessness
shiftlessnesses
shiftlike
shiftmate
shiftmates
shifts
shiftwork
shifty (current term)
shiftyness
shigaite
shigella
shigella boydii
shigella dysenteriae
shigella flexneri
shigella sonnei
shigellae
shigellas
shigelloses
shigellosis
shigram
shigrams
shihon-bashira

Literary usage of Shifty

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An American Glossary by Richard Hopwood Thornton (1912)
"shifty. Tricky. (Perhaps of American origin.) 1783 Ran away, a Negro Man, named Pompey, very artful and shi/ty.—Maryland Journal, Feb. 18. ..."

2. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"He belonged to the shifty and unprincipled class of which Thomas Cromwell (qy) was leader and mouthpiece, and he closed unworthily the series of the old ..."

3. Indian Wars of New England by Herbert Milton Sylvester (1910)
"In anger or unrest his features were as shifty as the sea in a whipping gale. As an expression of savagery, they were demoniac. They were at once brave, ..."

4. The Beginnings of Modern Europe (1250-1450) by Ephraim Emerton (1917)
"Ludwig the Bavarian, a shifty politician here as always, did nothing whatever to support his grand promises, and Edward, fortunately for his cause, ..."

5. The Mythology of the Aryan Nations by George William Cox (1887)
"In the Scottish story the shifty Lad goes through his apprentice- The ship not among a company of thieves, but under the sole charge of the Black Rogue, ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Shifty on Dictionary.com!Search for Shifty on Thesaurus.com!Search for Shifty on Google!Search for Shifty on Wikipedia!

Search