dodgily

Meanings

1. 1adverbinformalBritish

   In a way that is not reliable or safe, and might fail or cause problems.

   Grammar: Usually comes after the verb: The car was running dodgily.

   Patterns

   • do something dodgily
   • run dodgily
   • work dodgily

   The old printer worked dodgily, jamming every few pages.

   He drove dodgily through the narrow streets, missing a parked car by inches.

   The website loaded dodgily, with images appearing and disappearing.

2. 2adverbinformalBritishdisapproving

   In a way that seems dishonest or not completely legal.

   Grammar: Often describes business or financial actions.

   Patterns

   • behave dodgily
   • act dodgily
   • do business dodgily

   The company behaved dodgily, hiding its losses from investors.

   He acted dodgily when he tried to avoid paying the full tax.

   They ran the scheme dodgily, promising returns that never came.

Common combinations

work dodgily

The elevator worked dodgily, stopping between floors.

act dodgily

She acted dodgily when asked about the missing money.

drive dodgily

He drove dodgily after the long night shift.

behave dodgily

The team behaved dodgily by ignoring the safety rules.

Synonyms and how they differ

unreliably

More neutral and formal; it simply means not dependable, without suggesting dishonesty.

shadily

Stronger and more negative; it suggests clear dishonesty or illegality.

precariously

Focuses on physical instability or danger, not on honesty.

Opposites

Word family

dodgy adjective

Not reliable or possibly dishonest.

dodge verb

To avoid something by moving quickly or by trickery.

dodger noun

A person who avoids doing something, often dishonestly.

Commonly confused: dodgily or dodgingly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “dodgily”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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