ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sneaky

adj. · n.
US //ˈsniki// UK //snˈiːki// sneaky
  1. 1 dishonest or secret (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    doing things in a secret and often dishonest way.

    acting in a stealthy or furtive manner, often with the intent to deceive or avoid detection.

    Example

    It was a bit sneaky of him to read my private messages while I was out of the room.

    Example

    The company used sneaky tactics to hide the extra fees until the very end of the checkout process.
  2. 2 quiet and clever (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    doing something quietly so that other people do not notice you.

    characterized by stealth or the ability to avoid observation through cleverness.

    Example

    The cat was very sneaky, moving through the tall grass without making a sound.

    Example

    The protagonist employs a sneaky approach to bypass the guards, relying on timing rather than brute force.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 surveillance device (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Informal

    a secret camera or microphone used to watch or listen to people.

    any device used for covert surveillance or monitoring. Informal and often used in technical or security contexts.

    Example

    He was worried that someone had planted a sneaky in his office to record his meetings.

    Example

    The private investigator checked the room for any sneakies that might have been installed by the rival firm.

    Usage

    Usually refers to physical hardware like small cameras or audio bugs.
Origin

From sneak + -y.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference