furtive

[fur-tiv]

adjective

1. taken, done, used, etc., surreptitiously or by stealth; secret.

   a furtive glance.

   Synonyms: covert, clandestine

2. sly; shifty.

   a furtive manner.

   Synonyms: cunning, crafty, underhanded

furtive

/ ˈfɜːtɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by stealth; sly and secretive

Other Word Forms

• furtiveness noun
• furtively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of furtive¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin furtīvus, equivalent to furt(um) “theft” (compare fūr “thief”) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of furtive¹

C15: from Latin furtīvus stolen, clandestine, from furtum a theft, from fūr a thief; related to Greek phōr thief

Example Sentences

In between darting to furtive meetings about the fledgling movement, King managed to win the women's doubles at Queen's that week.

From BBC

Only the occasional woman or old man appears on the streets, making furtive bread runs before quickly heading home; young men are nowhere to be found.

From Los Angeles Times

Theirs is not a wholly furtive relationship, but it is not altogether an open one either.

From Los Angeles Times

That made it close enough for him to make furtive trips to get belongings from his home.

From Los Angeles Times

Few vehicles brave the abandoned boulevards; those that do move in furtive dashes: They barrel down the road, slow near the still-smoking ruins of a freshly struck building, then race away.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clandestine 
• conspiratorial 
• covert 
• surreptitious