Furtive: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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furtive

 

[ หˆfษœหrtษชv ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

suspiciously secretive

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.

Synonyms

covert, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious

Examples of usage

  • He cast a furtive glance over his shoulder.
  • The furtive movements of the thief caught the attention of the security guard.
  • She made a furtive attempt to hide the evidence.
Context #2 | Noun

criminal

A furtive person, especially one who is engaged in criminal activity.

Synonyms

criminal, delinquent, offender

Examples of usage

  • The police were on the lookout for any furtives in the area.
  • The furtive was caught red-handed during the robbery.

Translations

Translations of the word "furtive" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น furtivo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เฅเคชเฅเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช heimlich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ diam-diam

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะธั…ะพะฒะฐะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ potajemny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ“ใใ“ใใ—ใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท furtif

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ furtivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gizli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์€๋ฐ€ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎููŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tajnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tajnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅทๅท็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ skriven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ laumulegur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐัั‹ั€ั‹ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒแƒ แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gizli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ furtivo

Etymology

The word 'furtive' originates from the Latin word 'furtivus', meaning 'stolen' or 'secret'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. The concept of being furtive has been associated with suspicion and secrecy throughout history, often linked to criminal activities or deceptive behavior.

See also: furtively, furtiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,208, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.