[
US
/ˈfɝtɪv/
]
[ UK /fˈɜːtɪv/ ]
[ UK /fˈɜːtɪv/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
a sneak attack
stealthy footsteps
a surreptitious glance at his watch
a furtive manner -
secret and sly or sordid
furtive behavior
his low backstairs cunning
backstairs gossip
backstairs intimacies
How To Use furtive In A Sentence
- Psst! Come over here!" one youth hissed furtively.
- It's almost unbearably tempting to suggest a furtive flick on the nose.
- furtive behavior
- However, Frank's furtive visits to strange bars frequented by men in ascots and Cathy's friendship with Raymond, a noble black gardener, set the neighbourhood gossips tittering.
- Taking a furtive glance around for his father, Joe considered his next move.
- Shortly after my wife left for her evening walk, Zachery sidled up to me furtively.
- He cast a furtive glance around the square and, seeing that his admirer had not yet gone away, bent over his boot again.
- People slipped by silently, furtively, like ghosts -- white-faced women carrying infants in their arms; fathers leading children by the hand; singly, and in couples, and in families-all fleeing out of the city of death. Page 7
- Picking up his briefcase, he headed towards the police station, noticing a little more furtive activity today than usual.
- He watched a lizard scuttle furtively along the join between wall and ceiling, and disappear into a crevice.