Sketchy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sketchy

[ˈskɛtʃi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in a suspicious manner

Not to be trusted; untrustworthy or shady. Something that seems unreliable, risky, or dubious.

Synonyms

dubious, shady, suspicious, unreliable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sketchy	When talking about something incomplete, uncertain, or potentially dangerous. Often used informally. The details of the plan were sketchy at best. That neighborhood seems a bit sketchy at night.
suspicious	When feeling or causing a feeling of distrust or doubt, often related to someone's actions or intentions. His behavior was very suspicious. They looked suspiciously at the stranger.
dubious	When expressing doubt or skepticism about something’s truth, validity or reliability. He gave me a dubious explanation for his absence. I'm dubious about the success of this new business model.
shady	When describing something suspicious, potentially illegal or morally questionable. Usually has a negative connotation. That guy over there seems pretty shady. They were involved in some shady business deals.
unreliable	When referring to someone or something that cannot be trusted to work or operate consistently or truthfully. The internet connection here is really unreliable. She proved to be an unreliable witness.

Examples of usage

The man gave me a sketchy explanation for his whereabouts last night.
I don't feel comfortable going to that sketchy part of town alone at night.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

incomplete or rough

Roughly outlined or unfinished. Lacking detail or precision. Often used in reference to a preliminary or temporary version of something.

Synonyms

incomplete, preliminary, rough, unfinished.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sketchy	Repeated word.
rough	Indicates something that is not finished, polished, or detailed; often a first draft or an approximation. This is just a rough draft of the report, and it needs more work The road was rough and difficult to travel on
incomplete	Used when something is not finished or lacks some parts that are needed for it to be whole or fully functional. Her essay was deemed incomplete because it missed the conclusion paragraph The puzzle remained incomplete as pieces were missing
unfinished	Describes something that has been started but is not yet complete or polished. The painting remains unfinished as the artist took a break Our project is still unfinished due to a lack of resources
preliminary	Refers to an initial stage or early phase of something, often before it is finalized or thoroughly developed. The preliminary results of the study were promising We need to conduct a preliminary survey before the main project starts

Examples of usage

She showed me a sketchy draft of her new novel.
The plan is still in a sketchy stage and needs more development.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

In many movies and TV shows, when characters use the term 'sketchy', it often signals danger or a shady situation.
Sketchy characters in stories often display unpredictable or unreliable traits, contributing to the tension in narratives.

Psychology

People often perceive sketchy situations as red flags, which can activate their instincts for caution and self-protection.
Cognitive dissonance can occur when someone is drawn to sketchy activities despite knowing they might be unsafe.

Social Context

The term is commonly used in urban slang to describe not only people but also places that might be unsafe or dubious.
In online interactions, describing a profile as 'sketchy' suggests a lack of credibility or trustworthiness.

Literature

In literature, sketchy characters often serve as plot devices that create conflict by acting unpredictably.
Authors may use sketchy environments to enhance the atmosphere, making readers feel a sense of unease or intrigue.

Origin of 'sketchy'

Main points about word origin

The word 'sketchy' originated in the mid-19th century from 'sketch', referring to a rough or incomplete drawing.
Originally, it described work that was not fully developed, indicating a lack of detail or seriousness.

The origin of the word 'sketchy' can be traced back to the early 19th century, derived from the word 'sketch' which originally meant a rough drawing or outline. Over time, 'sketchy' evolved to describe something that is not fully developed or trustworthy. The term has since become commonly used in informal language to convey a sense of suspicion or incompleteness.

See also: sketch, sketcher, sketches, sketching.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,759, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20756 monopolize
20757 oceanography
20758 debugging
20759 sketchy
20760 collide
20761 tinned
20762 domed
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