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shifty

shifty

5 6.7
Something that moves and changes direction suddenly and often
  • adjective
  • /ˈʃɪfti/
: inestable
  • When driving on shifty roads, you have to be extra cautious about where you steer.

Examples

  • It was very dull and pretty shifty last night with no wind.

    Blog text (4)
  • The ground was so shifty that I had trouble keeping my balance while walking.

  • If language is so shifty, how can we express the truth in language?

  • Which one is really like one of those interesting shifty kind of blue mauve colors?

  • I really love these chromey glitter shifty nail polishes, especially for fall.

  • Rock is a trustworthy foundation, while sand dunes are inherently shifty.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Even if devastation does not strike in our lifetime, we need to make changes for the better both to prepare for climate change and to center our lives that are currently tacking along through shifty winds with an unbalanced keel.

    Blog text (5)
  • He quickly adapted to the shifty conditions of the trail, changing his path with ease.

Synonyms

volatile
vsshifty
106 7.0

Likely to change suddenly and become more dangerous

is about changing position or direction without implying danger
erratic
vsshifty
82 6.1

Not regular or predictable and likely to change suddenly

focuses on position or direction changes more than general irregular behaviour
shifting
vsshifty
43 3.8

Changing position or direction in an unpredictable way

is especially about frequent unpredictable position or direction changes
fickle
vsshifty
40 6.2

Changing often in a way you cannot rely on

focuses on position or direction changes, not emotional loyalty or interest
jerky
vsshifty
13 4.3

Moving in sudden, uneven ways that are not smooth

is about frequent position or direction changes rather than only uneven motion
wiggly
vsshifty
7 3.5

A shape or movement with many small bends like a worm

focuses on frequent unpredictable position or direction changes, not just curved shape
fluctuating
vsshifty
6 6.1

Changing up and down often in a way you cannot guess

is more about position or direction changes than irregular rises and falls
squirmy
vsshifty
4 3.5

Moving in a restless, wiggly way

is about changing position or direction unpredictably rather than small twisting movement
unsettled
vsshifty
4 4.3

Weather that often changes, bringing rain or strong wind

is used more for position or direction changes rather than only conditions
jumpy
vsshifty
3 3.9

Moving in sudden small jumps instead of smoothly

is about changing position or direction often, not just nervous jolts
wavery
vsshifty
1 6.5

Moving or looking unsteady and slightly shaking

is about changing position or direction rather than trembling appearance
changeful
vsshifty
  • Archaic
1 7.5

Tends to be different often

emphasizes changes of position or direction rather than general alteration
flitty
vsshifty
  • UK
1 8.4

Acting quickly and changing mood or interest often

is about changing position or direction rather than only quick mood changes
zigzaggy
vsshifty
  • Informal
1 6.5

Changing ideas or behavior often without a clear reason

is about frequent unpredictable movement rather than only sharp direction changes
like a weather vane in a storm
vsshifty
  • Informal
9.0

Changing often in ways you cannot predict

is the general adjective for frequent unpredictable directional change
a bit switchy
vsshifty
  • UK
9.2

Often changes mood or behavior quickly and without warning

is stronger, focusing on frequent position or direction changes rather than moods

Antonyms

467 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

How Changeable

erratic
82 6.1
shifty
5 6.7
unstable
128 4.4
variable
  • Specialized
170 4.2

Surface Forms

shifty positive
shiftier comparative
shiftiest superlative

Morphology

shifty = shift (transparent) = shift + y

Standard adjectival formation from 'shift' meaning 'tending to shift' or 'liable to change position', which a B1 learner can infer.

Etymology

Shifty comes from the word shift, which means 'to move' or 'change', plus the ending -y. So shifty describes something that often 'changes position' or direction, like wind that suddenly moves one way then another.