What does suspicious mean?
Suspicious describes something that seems strange, dishonest, dangerous, or otherwise likely to be wrong. A suspicious object, story, or behaviour attracts attention because it does not fit the expected pattern, while a suspicious person distrusts others or believes that something may be misleading. The word often suggests that a person has not reached a definite conclusion but is alert to the possibility of deception or danger. For example, someone may become suspicious of an unusually generous offer or of a vehicle parked outside a building. Suspicion can be justified, as when careful observation reveals evidence of wrongdoing, but it can also be excessive or mistaken. The adjective is widely used in everyday speech and formal writing, and it commonly occurs in the expression “suspicious of.”
Causing or arousing suspicion; seeming strange, dishonest, dangerous, or untrustworthy.
"The witness described the stranger's suspicious behaviour."
Often used before a noun, such as “a suspicious package,” “suspicious activity,” or “a suspicious person.”
Having doubt or distrust of someone or something.
"Security staff were suspicious of the man who kept circling the building."
This sense is normally expressed with “of”: “suspicious of,” “suspicious about,” or “suspicious toward.”
Suspicious comes from a Latin word meaning “to look up at,” reflecting the idea that something catches your eye because it seems out of place.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does suspicious come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin suspiciosus, derived from suspicere or suspicari, meaning “to look up at” or “to watch from below.” The Latin verb combined sus- with specere, “to look,” and originally conveyed watchfulness or caution. The modern sense of causing or expressing suspicion developed later, when the word came to mean that someone or something looked doubtful or deserved closer inspection.
How suspicious is actually used
In its second sense, the word is commonly followed by “of”: “suspicious of strangers.” It is neutral to strongly negative depending on context and can describe evidence, behaviour, people, places, or circumstances.
Easily confused with suspicious
A suspicious person distrusts or questions something, whereas a susceptible person is readily influenced or vulnerable to it.