dodgy

/ˈdɒdʒi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɑːdʒi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdä-jē How to pronounce dodgy (audio)/ (ame, mw)

dodgy — adjective

  • dodgypositive
  • dodgiercomparative
  • dodgiestsuperlative

1. showing signs of cheating, lying, or other behaviour you should not trust

1.形容詞B2
釋義

showing signs of cheating, lying, or other behaviour you should not trust

例句

Anthony avoided the dodgy salesman and bought the phone elsewhere.

collocation: dodgy salesman / dodgy dealer

Ayesha refused to sign the dodgy contract without legal advice.

同義詞
  • dishonest

    neutral and broad; less informal than dodgy

  • shady

    very close in tone, often suggesting secrecy

  • crooked

    stronger, often linked to crime or corruption

反義詞
  • honest

    direct opposite for people, actions, or deals

  • trustworthy

    emphasizes that you can rely on the person or arrangement

用法筆記

Common with nouns such as deal, broker, or company when something feels dishonest or suspicious. This sense focuses on a lack of trust, not on a machine simply working badly.

2. working badly or being in poor condition, so you cannot depend on it

2.形容詞B2
釋義

working badly or being in poor condition, so you cannot depend on it

例句

Rodrigo's dodgy printer jammed again during the school report rush.

common noun phrase: dodgy printer

The cafe's dodgy Wi-Fi dropped out every ten minutes.

system problem: drop out repeatedly

同義詞
  • faulty

    more technical and direct about a defect

  • unreliable

    broader and more neutral in tone

  • temperamental

    often used for machines that work sometimes but not always

反義詞
  • reliable

    emphasizes that it keeps working as expected

  • sound

    more formal, often about good condition

用法筆記

Usually describes devices, systems, or equipment that work unevenly or fail without warning. Distinguish this from sense 3, which is about danger or injury rather than poor performance.

3. unsafe, unstable, or likely to hurt you or lead to trouble

3.形容詞B2
釋義

unsafe, unstable, or likely to hurt you or lead to trouble

例句

Shirin skipped the dodgy shortcut behind the closed factory.

common phrase: dodgy shortcut

Obi's dodgy knee still hurts when he climbs stairs.

common phrase: dodgy knee

同義詞
  • risky

    focuses on the chance of trouble or loss

  • unsafe

    more direct about physical danger

  • shaky

    often suggests physical instability or weak support

反義詞
  • safe

    plain opposite when there is no serious danger

  • secure

    stresses stability or protection

用法筆記

Common with places, plans, body parts, and structures when they may hurt you or end badly. Distinguish this from sense 2, where something is merely unreliable or not working well.