iffy

iffy
iffy (adj.) 1937, American English, from IF (Cf. if) + -Y (Cf. -y) (2). Originally associated with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • iffy — [if′ē] adj. iffier, iffiest [see IF1 & Y3] Informal not definite; containing doubtful elements; dependent upon varying conditions [an iffy situation] …   English World dictionary

  • iffy — [adj] uncertain capricious, chancy, conditional, dicey, doubtful, erratic, fluctuant, incalculable, in lap of gods*, problematic, undecided, unpredictable, unsettled, up in the air*, whimsical; concept 552 Ant. certain, definite, reliable, sure …   New thesaurus

  • iffy — ► ADJECTIVE (iffier, iffiest) informal 1) doubtful. 2) of doubtful quality or legality …   English terms dictionary

  • iffy — [[t]ɪ̱fi[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED If you say that something is iffy, you mean that it is not very good in some way. [INFORMAL] If your next record s a bit iffy, you re forgotten... He was from an iffy neighborhood. Syn: dodgy 2) ADJ GRADED If something …   English dictionary

  • iffy — UK [ˈɪfɪ] / US adjective Word forms iffy : adjective iffy comparative iffier superlative iffiest spoken 1) unlikely to happen It s still pretty iffy about us going to the Algarve. 2) not very good That engine sounds a bit iffy to me …   English dictionary

  • iffy — if|fy [ ıfi ] adjective SPOKEN 1. ) unlikely to happen: DOUBTFUL: It s still pretty iffy about us going to the Algarve. a ) not certain about whether to do something 2. ) not very good: DODGY: That engine sounds a bit iffy to me. I was beginning… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • iffy — iffiness, n. /if ee/, adj., iffier, iffiest. Informal. 1. full of unresolved points or questions: an iffy situation. 2. doubtful; questionable: An early decision on this is iffy. [1915 20; IF + Y1] Syn. 1. doubtful, unsettled, uncertain,… …   Universalium

  • iffy — adjective a) Of dubious authenticity, legitimacy or legality. Hes selling new CD players for £20 each that sounds a bit iffy to me. b) Uncertain or chancy. The weather is still iffy for Saturdays shuttle launch …   Wiktionary

  • iffy — if|fy [ˈıfi] adj informal [Date: 1900 2000; Origin: if] 1.) BrE not very good ▪ That meat smells a bit iffy to me. 2.) not certain to happen = ↑doubtful ▪ The July date is still rather iffy …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • iffy — adjective informal full of uncertainty: The whole plan is beginning to look pretty iffy. | I m a bit iffy about having a party here …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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