How do you use "Sketchy" in a sentence?

That part of town is pretty sketchy at night. The whole deal seemed sketchy to me. I got a sketchy email asking for my password. He seems like a sketchy character.

Sketchy

Q: What does "Sketchy" mean?

Suspicious, questionable, untrustworthy Describes something that seems unreliable, potentially dangerous, or not quite right. Can apply to people, places, situations, or deals that give off bad vibes.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Suspicious, questionable, untrustworthy

可疑的、不可靠的、不太对劲的

Sospechoso, poco fiable, dudoso

怪しい、信用できない、いかがわしい

수상한, 의심스러운, 믿을 수 없는

Describes something that seems unreliable, potentially dangerous, or not quite right. Can apply to people, places, situations, or deals that give off bad vibes.

非正式用语，形容看起来不太可靠、不太安全或令人起疑的事物。可以指人、地点、情况或交易。有一种直觉上'不太对'或'有问题'的感觉。

Informal para describir algo que parece poco fiable, inseguro o que genera sospecha. Puede describir personas, lugares, situaciones o tratos. Captura la sensación de que algo 'no está bien.'

カジュアルな表現で、信頼できない、安全でない、または疑わしいものを表す。人、場所、状況、取引に使える。「何か変」「怪しい」という直感的な感覚。

믿을 수 없거나, 잠재적으로 위험하거나, 뭔가 꺼림칙한 것을 묘사하는 표현. 사람, 장소, 상황, 거래 등 불안한 느낌을 주는 것에 쓰인다.

Examples

That part of town is pretty sketchy at night.
那个社区有点sketchy，晚上不要去。
Ese barrio es algo sospechoso, no vayas de noche.
あの近所はちょっと怪しい、夜は行かない方がいい。
그 동네는 밤에 좀 위험해.
The whole deal seemed sketchy to me.
这笔交易看起来有点可疑。
Este trato parece algo turbio.
この取引、なんか怪しい。
그 거래가 뭔가 수상하게 느껴졌어.
I got a sketchy email asking for my password.
我不知道，这整件事让我感觉不太对。
No sé, todo esto me da mala espina.
わからないけど、全体的に変な感じがする。
비밀번호를 요구하는 수상한 이메일을 받았어.
He seems like a sketchy character.
那个链接看起来很可疑——别点。
Ese enlace parece sospechoso—no lo abras.
そのリンク怪しそう——クリックしないで。
그 사람 좀 수상한 인물 같아.

Pronunciation

/ˈsketʃi/

Usage Guide

Context: warnings, suspicion, distrust

Tone: wary, cautious

✓ Do Say

That looks sketchy.
有点可疑
Algo turbio
ちょっと怪しい
그거 수상해 보여.
Seems a bit sketchy.
那看起来很sketchy
Eso parece sospechoso
なんか変
좀 수상한데.
Sketchy neighborhood.
感觉不太对
Me da mala espina
信用できない感じ
수상한 동네.

✗ Don't Say

Informal—use 'suspicious' or 'questionable' formally
非正式用语，正式场合请用'suspicious'或'questionable'
Informal; en contextos formales usa 'suspicious' o 'questionable'
カジュアルな表現です。フォーマルな場面では「suspicious」や「questionable」を使いましょう
비격식적 표현—격식 있는 상황에서는 'suspicious' 또는 'questionable' 사용
May not be understood by all British speakers
不是所有英国人都能理解
Puede que no todos los hablantes británicos lo entiendan
イギリス人全員に通じるとは限りません
영국 화자 모두가 이해하지 못할 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Different from artistic 'sketch'
More common in American English

Origin & History

American slang from the 1970s-80s, possibly from 'sketch' meaning an incomplete drawing—something not fully developed or clear. Implies incompleteness or uncertainty about trustworthiness.

Etymology: From 'sketch' (incomplete drawing) suggesting something unclear or undeveloped

First recorded: American slang from 1970s-80s

Cultural Context

Era: 1970s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in American TV and film; Internet safety warnings

Regional notes: Originally American, now widespread. Less common in British English.

Variations

SketchyA bit sketchySketch