“Dodgy” is a casual British word that means something feels wrong, risky, or unreliable. It can describe a person you don’t trust, food that looks off, a deal that smells fishy, or even a neighborhood where you’d walk faster at night.
In everyday life, you’ll hear it everywhere: “That kebab looks a bit dodgy—let’s skip it.” Friends might warn, “Don’t use that site, it’s dodgy with your card details.” If your phone battery swells, you’ll say, “It’s gone dodgy; time for a new one.” It’s quick, friendly, and paints a clear picture of doubt or danger.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- Dodgy person: “The new landlord seems dodgy—always late with receipts.”
- Dodgy food: “I left the milk out all night; smells dodgy now.”
- Dodgy plan: “Investing in that crypto scheme sounds dodgy to me.”
Context / Common Use
Brits drop “dodgy” in chat, texts, and reviews. Americans might say “sketchy” instead, but the vibe is the same: steer clear or double-check before trusting it.
Is “dodgy” only negative?
Mostly yes—it flags risk—but friends can joke: “Feeling a bit dodgy after last night’s curry.”
Can I use it in formal writing?
Stick to informal or conversational pieces; swap to “unreliable” or “questionable” in formal docs.
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