Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dodgy

/ˈdɒd͡ʒ.i/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.32 in modern English

Syllables: dodgy
IPA: /ˈdɒd͡ʒ.i/

11

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Evasive and shifty.

British usage; Colloquial

adj

Unsound and unreliable.

British usage; Colloquial

adj

Colloquial

adj

Colloquial

adj

Colloquial

adj

Uncomfortable and weird.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

"Asked why, a spokesman gave a dodgy answer about legal ramifications."
"Never listen to dodgy advice."
"The dodgy old machine kept breaking down."
"The more money the better, because there is always that dodgy politician or corrupt official to bribe."
"I am sure you wouldn't want to be seen buying dodgy gear, would you? (stolen goods)."
"No doubt you’re tired of reading about his colourful escapades – about his glamorous home, his allegedly dodgy tenderpreneur deals, his gushing praise of malevolent dictators, or his soundly articulated international economic policy."

Etymology

From dodge (verb) + -y. First used in mid-19th century England.

Usage

British usage
Colloquial

Inflected Forms

dodgier (comparative) dodgiest (superlative)

Derived Forms

dodgily dodginess

Phrases

dodgy box

Synonyms

dodge shaky flaky chancy risky crafty cunning foxy guileful knavish slick sly

Rhymes With

pedagogy stodgy podgy demagogy anagoge

Questions

How do you pronounce dodgy?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈdɒd͡ʒ.i/.
What does dodgy mean?: Evasive and shifty.
Where does dodgy come from?: From dodge (verb) + -y. First used in mid-19th century England.

How to pronounce dodgy

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “dodgy”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈdɒd͡ʒ.i/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “dodgy”.
Repeat and practice — Say “dodgy” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.