Sketchy
/ˈskɛtʃi/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Sketchy describes something that is not detailed or full, like a quick or rough drawing (a sketch). It can also mean something that feels unsafe, suspicious, or unreliable. People use it to talk about unclear information or places and people that seem dangerous or dishonest.
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See It in Action
Not complete or detailed; rough or incomplete information or plans
- •The instructions were sketchy, so I wasn’t sure what to do.
- •His explanation of the event was sketchy and missing many facts.
- •We only have a sketchy idea of how the project will work.
Suspicious, unsafe, or unreliable; causing doubt or fear
- •That part of town looks sketchy at night.
- •I don’t want to go to that sketchy restaurant; it doesn’t seem clean.
- •He gave me a sketchy story about where he was last night.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "sketchy" like "not clear," but with a feeling of worry or doubt about safety or truth
- ✓Picture a rough pencil drawing with missing parts and unclear lines, not a finished picture
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you walk through a dark, empty street and feel unsure or unsafe
- ✓Sounds like "SKETCH-ee" → imagine a quick, rough drawing that leaves many questions open
- ✓Think of a story where a character meets a stranger who seems strange or untrustworthy—this is a "sketchy" person
- ✓NOT like "clear" (complete and easy to understand)—sketchy means incomplete or unclear
- ✓NOT like "safe" (free from danger)—sketchy often means something feels dangerous or risky
- ✓NOT like "trustworthy" (can be trusted)—sketchy means you should be careful and not fully trust
Try Other Words
- •Vague: not clear or detailed (Use when talking about unclear information or ideas)
- •Dodgy: suspicious or unsafe (Use mostly in informal British English for unsafe or unreliable things)
- •Uncertain: not sure or fixed (Use when you want to express doubt without the feeling of danger)
- •Incomplete: missing parts (Use when emphasizing missing details without suspicion)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "sketch" (a rough drawing) + suffix "-y" (makes adjective meaning "having the quality of")
- •Etymology: From "sketch," which comes from Dutch "schets," meaning a quick drawing
- •Historical development: Originally meant related to or like a sketch (drawing), later also used to describe unclear or unsafe things
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in informal speech to describe something incomplete or suspicious, especially places or stories
Reflect & Connect
•When have you experienced a situation or place that felt sketchy? What made it feel that way?
•How can you tell the difference between something that is just unclear and something that is truly sketchy or unsafe?
Fill in the blanks
1.The instructions were sketchy because they lacked ___ and important details.
2.I felt the neighborhood was sketchy at night due to the ___ lighting and empty streets.
3.His story about the accident was sketchy; he couldn’t ___ the facts clearly.
4.We avoided the sketchy restaurant because it looked ___ and dirty.
5.Sketchy information often makes people feel ___ and unsure about what to do next.
6.The witness gave a sketchy description, so the police couldn’t ___ the suspect well.
7.When a place is sketchy, it usually means it might be ___ or risky to visit.