Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [fur-tiv]
- /ˈfɜr tɪv/
- /ˈfɜː.tɪv/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [fur-tiv]
- /ˈfɜr tɪv/
Definitions of furtive word
- adjective furtive taken, done, used, etc., surreptitiously or by stealth; secret: a furtive glance. 1
- adjective furtive sly; shifty: a furtive manner. 1
- noun furtive Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive. 1
- adjective furtive shifty, stealthy 1
- adjective furtive If you describe someone's behaviour as furtive, you disapprove of them behaving as if they want to keep something secret or hidden. 0
- adjective furtive characterized by stealth; sly and secretive 0
Information block about the term
Origin of furtive
First appearance:
before 1480 One of the 25% oldest English words
1480-90; < Latin furtīvus, equivalent to furt(um) theft (compare fūr thief) + -īvus -ive
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Furtive
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
furtive popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 87% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
furtive usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for furtive
adj furtive
- clandestine — Something that is clandestine is hidden or kept secret, often because it is illegal.
- covert — Covert activities or situations are secret or hidden.
- surreptitious — obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine: a surreptitious glance.
- artful — If you describe someone as artful, you mean that they are clever and skilful at achieving what they want, especially by deceiving people.
- calculating — If you describe someone as calculating, you disapprove of the fact that they deliberately plan to get what they want, often by hurting or harming other people.
Antonyms for furtive
adj furtive
- aboveboard — An arrangement or deal that is aboveboard is legal and is being carried out openly and honestly. A person who is aboveboard is open and honest about what they are doing.
- honest — honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair: an honest person.
- forthright — going straight to the point; frank; direct; outspoken: It's sometimes difficult to be forthright and not give offense.
- truthful — telling the truth, especially habitually: a truthful person.
- open — not closed or barred at the time, as a doorway by a door, a window by a sash, or a gateway by a gate: to leave the windows open at night.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with f
- Words starting with fu
- Words starting with fur
- Words starting with furt
- Words starting with furti
- Words starting with furtiv
- Words starting with furtive