sketchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sketchy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as suspicious, uncertain, or unreliable. For example: "He gave me a sketchy explanation for why he was late, so I'm still not sure what happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blogger Maysaloon discusses Qatar's rather sketchy "Plan B" involving some kind of safe haven in Syria.

The Guardian

While the first Conservative instinct was simply to welcome Pfizer, Ed Miliband deserves some credit for his insistence that Britain could do better, even though the intervention exposed how sketchy Labour's industrial thinking remains.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the residents think the artworks should be returned to their rightful owners, though establishing who they are may take some time: many of the remaining records from galleries looted by the Nazis are sketchy and incomplete.

The Guardian

Wi-Fi and phone reception is sketchy, which was a joy after a few days.

The Guardian - Travel

It's very different from Klimt's wispy, sketchy delineation.

The Guardian - Arts

It's so sketchy in places but always so complex.

The Guardian

Twitter, incentivised by attractive tax and rent breaks, has landed in a previously (and if I'm honest, still) sketchy part of town, bringing in its wake a wave of new, exciting restaurants.

The Guardian - Travel

Luz has drawn Muhammad in his customary abbreviated manner, simple and sketchy with thick rapid lines.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite the graffiti and glazed brickwork, it very much feels like a corporate take on the concept and the relatively mainstream nature of the beer selection - not to mention the staff's somewhat sketchy product knowledge – is not going to turn it into a destination for craft aficionados.

The Guardian - Travel

When conversation mercifully turned to other topics, Diaz was equally sketchy on other aspects of the Coalition manifesto, including Direct Action, the "green army" and immigration – at which point a minder stepped in and ended the interview.

The Guardian

It's idiosyncratic, sketchy, and nothing like the precisely codified system in use today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sketchy" to describe a situation or plan, consider providing specific reasons why it seems unreliable to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "sketchy" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more precise and professional terms like "questionable", "dubious", or "unsubstantiated" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "sketchy" primarily functions to qualify a noun by indicating that something is doubtful, suspicious, or not fully developed. Ludwig examples show it describing plans, details, and even areas of town.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "sketchy" is a versatile term that indicates something is doubtful, unreliable, or incomplete. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While acceptable in many contexts, it's best to avoid it in highly formal writing, opting for more precise alternatives like "dubious" or "questionable". The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its common use across news media, travel writing, and opinion pieces, signaling a word that is both current and relevant in expressing nuanced concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shady

Implies dishonesty or disreputability.

dodgy

Similar to shady, suggesting potential illegality or untrustworthiness.

dubious

Implies doubt or suspicion about something, often regarding its honesty or validity.

questionable

Suggests uncertainty or doubt about the appropriateness or validity of something.

suspicious

Indicates a feeling of distrust or doubt about someone or something.

unreliable

Highlights the lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

vague

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or precision in details.

incomplete

Focuses on the absence of necessary parts or details.

tenuous

Suggests a weak or uncertain basis.

flimsy

Suggests lacking substance or strength, either physically or metaphorically.

FAQs

How to use "sketchy" in a sentence?

You can use "sketchy" to describe something that seems unreliable, suspicious, or incomplete. For example, "The witness gave a "sketchy" account of the incident."

What can I say instead of "sketchy"?

You can use alternatives like "dubious", "questionable", or "unreliable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "sketchy" or "sketchie"?

"Sketchy" is the correct spelling. "Sketchie" is not a standard English word.

What's the difference between "sketchy" and "unclear"?

"Sketchy" often implies a sense of untrustworthiness or potential deception, while "unclear" simply means something lacks clarity or is not easily understood. Something can be "unclear" without being deliberately misleading, but "sketchy" carries that implication.