# dodgy

/dˈɒdʒi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dodgy
Updated: 2026-08-14

## Definition

Something that seems dishonest, unreliable, or of poor quality. You can use it to describe a person you don't trust, a product that might break, or a situation that feels a little unsafe.

For teachers: Dishonest, unreliable, or of poor quality; potentially illegal or dangerous. An informal adjective, particularly common in British English.

## Examples

- This old phone has a dodgy battery.
- He got the tickets from a dodgy website, so he's worried they aren't real.
- While his official business was legitimate, the source of his initial funding remained a dodgy, unspoken subject among his partners.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.