What does dodgy mean?
Dodgy is an informal adjective meaning dishonest, unreliable, or of questionable quality or safety. It is most closely associated with British English, though its use has spread to other English-speaking regions. The word covers a broad range of distrustful situations: a 'dodgy dealer' is someone not to be trusted, a 'dodgy ladder' is one that seems unsafe, and 'dodgy dealings' suggests underhand business practices. It is also commonly applied to physical states, as when someone complains of a 'dodgy stomach'. In tone, dodgy tends to be mildly humorous or understated rather than harshly accusatory, which makes it a versatile word for everyday speech. Its connotations range from playful suspicion to genuine warning, depending on context. Derived forms include the adverb 'dodgily' and the noun 'dodginess'. For learners of English, dodgy is a useful word precisely because it captures a common everyday judgement — that something or someone cannot quite be relied upon — in a single, vividly colloquial term.
adjectiveDishonest, unreliable, or of questionable quality or safety. Also describes something risky, hazardous, or difficult to deal with.
- Dishonest, untrustworthy, or disreputable.
- Of poor quality, unsafe, or unreliable.
- (Informal) Risky or difficult; likely to fail or cause trouble.
"He refused to buy the phone from that dodgy dealer in the market."
"The police shut down the club after reports of dodgy accounting."
"My knee feels a bit dodgy after that long hike."
In British slang, calling something 'a bit dodgy' is the polite way of saying you don't trust it — from shady deals to suspect stomachs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dodgy
Dodgy derives from the verb 'dodge', meaning to evade or avoid, which itself appeared in American English in the early 19th century with uncertain ultimate origins. The adjective 'dodgy' emerged in the mid-19th century, originally meaning evasive or cunning, before shifting toward its modern senses of dishonest and unreliable. Related forms include 'dodger' (one who dodges) and 'dodginess'.
Related word forms
How dodgy is actually used
'Dodgy' is informal and strongly associated with British English, though it has spread to other varieties including Australian and, more recently, American English. It carries a mildly humorous or understated tone — Britons often use it as a polite hedge ('a bit dodgy') rather than a blunt accusation. It can describe people, things, situations, or even physical sensations (e.g., a 'dodgy stomach').
Easily confused with dodgy
'Stodgy' means dull, heavy, or old-fashioned (especially food or style), while 'dodgy' means dishonest, unreliable, or unsafe.