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- Dictionaryfurtive/ˈfəːtɪv/
adjective
- 1. attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive: "they spent a furtive day together"
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Aug 12, 2024 · The meaning of FURTIVE is done in a quiet and secretive way to avoid being noticed : surreptitious. How to use furtive in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Furtive.
FURTIVE definition: 1. (of people) behaving secretly and often dishonestly, or (of actions) done secretly and often…. Learn more.
secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed. adjective. marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed. “a furtive manner”. synonyms: sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious. concealed. hidden on any grounds for any motive.
FURTIVE meaning: 1. (of people) behaving secretly and often dishonestly, or (of actions) done secretly and often…. Learn more.
If you describe someone's behaviour as furtive, you disapprove of them behaving as if they want to keep something secret or hidden. With a furtive glance over her shoulder, she unlocked the door and entered the house. He walked towards the summerhouse, at first furtively, then with more confidence.
adjective. /ˈfɜːtɪv/ /ˈfɜːrtɪv/ (disapproving) behaving in a way that shows that you want to keep something secret and do not want to be noticed synonym stealthy. She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder. He looked sly and furtive. The look in his eyes became furtive. The secretary looked almost furtive when I walked in.
fur·tive. (fûr′tĭv) adj. Characterized by, acting with, or suggesting stealth or a desire to avoid discovery; surreptitious: "J.W. from time to time gave her a furtive squeeze of the hand, but they never got to go out alone any more" (John Dos Passos). See Synonyms at secret.
Britannica Dictionary definition of FURTIVE. [more furtive; most furtive] : done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed. He cast a furtive glance in our direction. We exchanged furtive smiles across the table.
There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective furtive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
doing something secretly, or done secretly, so that people do not notice: He gave her a furtive glance as soon as his wife left the room. furtively. adverb. (Definition of furtive from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of furtive. in Chinese (Traditional) （人）偷偷摸摸的, 鬼鬼祟祟的, （行動）秘密的… See more.
