What does sneakiest mean?
Sneakiest is the superlative form of sneaky and means the most sneaky of a group or, when used comparatively, more sneaky than someone or something else. It describes a person who acts secretly to avoid being noticed, or a plan or action that is cunning and intended to deceive or gain an advantage. The word often conveys a playful or mildly disapproving tone: describing someone as “the sneakiest” can sound affectionate and teasing in a familiar setting, while in a more serious context it may suggest unethical or underhanded behavior. Sneakiest is common in everyday British and American English and appears especially often in phrases such as “the sneakiest person” and “the sneakiest trick.” It is especially useful when a speaker wants to make a strong, memorable judgment about someone’s secretiveness or cunning without using a more formal description.
adjectiveThe comparative or superlative form of sneaky: most sneaky, or more sneaky than someone or something else.
- Most sneaky; more sneaky than others.
"The sneakiest student in the class copied the answers before anyone else had finished writing."
"That was the sneakiest move anyone could have made."
"She gave me the sneakiest look when I suggested leaving early."
Calling someone the sneakiest is a playful way of saying they can get away with almost anything.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sneakiest
The word comes from the English verb “sneak,” whose origins are uncertain but are probably connected with Old English words related to crouching or moving stealthily. The adjective “sneaky” developed from that verb and became especially common in the 19th century. “Sneakiest” is the regular superlative of “sneaky,” formed with the suffix “-est.”
Related word forms
How sneakiest is actually used
Usually informal and often mildly humorous. It can describe someone who acts secretly, someone who is clever and underhanded, or something unexpectedly subtle.