Shiftily: meaning, definitions and examples

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shiftily

 

[ หˆสƒษชf.tษช.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

manner of behavior

Shiftily refers to acting in a deceitful or evasive manner, often characterized by a lack of confidence or a tendency to shift one's gaze. It suggests an attempt to avoid directness or truthfulness.

Synonyms

dodgingly, evasively, furtively.

Examples of usage

  • He glanced shiftily around the room.
  • She answered the questions shiftily, avoiding eye contact.
  • The politician spoke shiftily when asked about the scandal.

Translations

Translations of the word "shiftily" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น de maneira evasiva

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคพเคฒเคพเค•เฅ€ เคธเฅ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช schlรผpfrig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ dengan licik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัƒั…ะธะปัŒะฝะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ z ukrycia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใšใ‚‹ใšใ‚‹ใจ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท de maniรจre sournoise

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ de manera astuta

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sinsi bir ลŸekilde

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ตํ™œํ•˜๊ฒŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุดูƒู„ ู…ุฑูŠุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ podvodnฤ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ podvodne

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‹ก็Œพๅœฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zavito

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hrokka

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะดะฐะผัˆั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒขแƒงแƒฃแƒแƒ แƒแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒ—

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aldadฤฑcฤฑ ลŸษ™kildษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ de manera astuta

Etymology

The word 'shiftily' is derived from the adjective 'shift', which has Old English origins from the word 'sceรพan', meaning 'to cause to change or alter'. Over time, 'shift' I have evolved in English to encompass meanings associated with moving or changing positions or states, which inherently carries a notion of instability or deceit. The suffix '-ly' indicates that the word functions as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe an action done in a particular manner. The notion of shifty behavior has its roots in the characterizations of someone who cannot be trusted, often linked to actions displaying evasiveness or deception. As societies evolved, so did language, broadening the interpretations associated with 'shiftily' to encompass a spectrum of unreliable behaviors, behaviors characterized by cleverness at the expense of honesty.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,431, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.