furtive
Of a thing: done with evasive or guilty secrecyOf a thing: done with evasive or guilty secrecy.
» They cast furtive glances at one another.
Они скрытно поглядывают друг на друга.
Meaning
4 sensesOf a thing: done with evasive or guilty secrecy.
verstohlen
Of a thing: that has been acquired by theft; stolen; also (generally) taken stealthily.
Of a person or an animal: sly, stealthy.
geheim, heimlich, Tarn-
скры́тныйskrýtnyj
secret and sly or sordid
Of a person, etc.: inclined to steal; pilfering, thieving.
Examples
4 sentencesThey cast furtive glances at one another.
ruОни скрытно поглядывают друг на друга. — caponych
A furtive tear welled up in her eyes, leaving me emotional.
The spy was very furtive as he stole the keys from the guard.
He walked very slowly and circumspectly, and there was something indescribably guilty and furtive in his whole appearance.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
Origin
From Middle English *furtyve (implied in furtyvely (adverb)), from Middle French furtif, fFrom Middle English *furtyve (implied in furtyvely (adverb)), from Middle French furtif, furtive (“furtive, stealthy”) (modern French furtif), from Latin fūrtīvus (“clandestine, furtive, secret; concealed, hidden; stolen”), from fūrtum (“theft; robbery”) (from fūr (“thief”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to bear, carry”)) + -īvus (suffix forming adjectives).
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Forms
more furtive, most furtive| Comparative | more furtive Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | most furtive Lesson |
regular
Synonyms
45 synonyms- marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed:sneaksneakystealthysurreptitious
- secret and sly or sordid:backstairbackstairs
Word family
4 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form