sneaky

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsniːki/
• American: SNEE-kee

Origin

From the verb "sneak" + "-y", first recorded in the mid-19th century.

Meanings

1. Behaving in a furtive or stealthy manner, often with dishonest or deceitful intentions.
2. Done or accomplished in a secretive or underhanded way.

Example Sentences

1. The sneaky child tried to steal a cookie without his mother noticing.
2. The company's sneaky tactics to avoid paying taxes were eventually exposed.
3. He gave me a sneaky glance, thinking I wouldn't notice.

Related Words

• Forms: sneakier (comparative), sneakiest (superlative), sneakily (adverb), sneakiness (noun)
• Synonyms: sly, furtive, stealthy, underhanded, surreptitious, clandestine

Memorization Trick

Think of a sneaky snake slithering silently: both start with "sn" and involve stealthy movement. The "eaky" in sneaky sounds like "eeky," reminding you of the uneasy feeling you get when someone is being secretive or dishonest.