online vocabulary.com

Dodgy - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Dodgy means something or someone that seems unreliable, suspicious, or of poor quality. It is often used to describe situations, people, or things that appear risky or untrustworthy.

dodgy

/ˈdɑːdʒi/ /ˈdɒdʒi/

Definition:

Dishonest, unreliable, or suspicious in nature; potentially risky or unsafe.

Synonyms:

shady, dubious, suspicious, untrustworthy

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

trustworthy, reliable

Common Collocations:

dodgy deal, dodgy character, dodgy situation

Derivatives:

dodginess, dodgier, dodgiest

Usage Tips:

Use "dodgy" informally to describe something questionable or unreliable, often in British English.

Common Phrases:

look a bit dodgy, on the dodgy side, dodgy as a nine-bob note

Etymology:

Originated in mid-19th century Britain from "dodge," meaning to evade or trick someone.

Examples:

  • 1. The mechanic’s repair job seemed a bit dodgy to me.
  • 2. Avoid that alley at night—it’s known for being dodgy.
  • 3. He gave me a dodgy excuse for being late again.
  • 4. The food at that stall looked dodgy, so I didn’t buy any.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS