sketchy
/ˈsketʃ.i/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
If something is sketchy, it is not complete, clear, or well planned. It can also seem doubtful or not fully safe.
- The report was sketchy and needed more facts.
- That part of town looks sketchy at night.
- His explanation sounded sketchy to me.
Adinary Nuance
Sketchy is stronger and more informal than incomplete or unclear. It often suggests doubt, poor quality, or a slightly unsafe feeling. Writers choose sketchy when they want to sound cautious or skeptical, not just neutral.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đáng ngờ
- Spanish
- sospechoso
- Chinese
- 可疑的
- Japanese
- 怪しい
- Korean
- 수상한
Etymology
Sketchy comes from sketch, which meant a quick drawing or short outline. In English, it later developed the idea of something only partly shown or not fully trusted.
Common phrases
a sketchy areaa sketchy explanationsketchy detailssketchy at best
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is sketchy a formal word?
- No. It is mostly informal, especially when you mean doubtful or a little unsafe.
- What is the difference between sketchy and shady?
- Both can mean suspicious. Sketchy is more common for unclear details or unsafe situations; shady often suggests dishonest behavior.
- Can I use sketchy in academic writing?
- Usually not. In academic writing, use clearer words like incomplete, uncertain, or unreliable.
- Does sketchy only mean unsafe?
- No. It can also mean incomplete, rough, or not fully reliable.