iffy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "iffy" is a legitimate English word and it is indeed used in written English.
It is typically an adjective used to describe something as uncertain, dubious, or ambiguous. For example, you could say "The forecast for tomorrow is looking a bit iffy. It may rain, or it may stay clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm a little more iffy about that," he said.

The Guardian

Yet here Tarantino was, venturing into decidedly iffy territory.

The Guardian - Film

"A lot of iffy landlords purport to offer licences, not tenancies," says Peaker.

The Guardian

It's already ticked off alleged corruption, mistreatment of immigrant workers and a frighteningly iffy attitude to the LGBT community, and 2022 is still miles away.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was a bifurcated man, making cute movies for kids, his primary fanbase as a wrestler, such as Tooth Fairy, Game Plan and Race To Witch Mountain (I call these his "Pet Rock" movies), and bad movies for adults, iffy remakes like Walking Tall, and bad sports movies like Gridiron Gang, and illiterate thrillers like Faster.

The Guardian - Film

Farming out policing is especially iffy, says Mr Benest, since cops should be sensitive and accountable to the local community.The other extreme is declaring bankruptcy.

The Economist

If Britain's lottery magnates want scenes like that, it is the cash payouts, not the iffy good causes, that they should address.

The Economist

Mr Hurd resigned amid stories of sexual harassment and iffy expense reports—and HP saw $10 billion briefly wiped off its stockmarket value.Where does this psychodrama leave the Silicon Valley giant?

The Economist

They add that without Televisa's cash, Iusacell faces bankruptcy, handing yet more power to Mr Slim in the throttled telephone market.But joint ventures between rivals have long been seen as iffy.

The Economist

His predecessor as mayor of New Orleans was Ray Nagin, a man of minimal competence (when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, he botched the evacuation), iffy racial views (he declared that New Orleans should be a "chocolate" city) and questionable ethics (he is about to go on trial for corruption).After Mr Nagin, a merely mediocre mayor would have seemed an improvement.

The Economist

Although there are some sharp losers (men who work part-time have done particularly badly) real-terms pay cuts have been felt across Britain's pay scales and through its counties and cities.With productivity and pay still slumping, Britain's recovery starts to look much more iffy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "iffy" to describe situations or items that are not entirely trustworthy or reliable. It is best suited for informal contexts, though acceptable in news media.

Common error

While "iffy" is widely understood, avoid relying on it excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "dubious", "uncertain", or "questionable" for enhanced clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "iffy" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of uncertainty, doubt, or questionable quality. Ludwig provides many examples of this use, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "iffy" is a common term used to describe something that is uncertain, questionable, or unreliable. Ludwig AI confirms its legitimacy and frequent usage in written English. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's best suited for informal contexts and news media; more formal situations may warrant alternatives like "dubious" or "questionable". As Ludwig examples indicate, "iffy" serves to express reservations or warn about potential risks and is often found in news and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious

Indicates uncertainty or doubt about the quality or truth of something.

questionable

Suggests that something is open to doubt or suspicion.

dodgy

Implies that something is unreliable, dishonest, or potentially dangerous.

fishy

Suggests that something seems suspicious or not quite right.

uncertain

Expresses a lack of confidence or sureness about something.

unreliable

Indicates that something cannot be depended on.

risky

Suggests the possibility of danger, failure or loss.

tenuous

Indicates something is weak or slight.

shaky

Implies a lack of stability or security.

chancy

Indicates that something involves risk or uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "iffy" in a sentence?

You can use "iffy" to describe something that is uncertain or questionable, such as, "The weather for the picnic is looking a bit "iffy"."

What are some synonyms for "iffy"?

Some synonyms for "iffy" include "dubious", "questionable", "uncertain", and "unreliable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "iffy" in formal writing?

While "iffy" is widely understood, it is generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "dubious" or "questionable".

What does it mean when something is described as "iffy"?

When something is described as "iffy", it means that it is uncertain, questionable, or of dubious quality. It suggests that there is some reason to be cautious or skeptical about it.