Meaning

Of a thing: done with evasive or guilty secrecy..

Definitions by Sense

1. Of a thing: done with evasive or guilty secrecy.
2. Of a thing: that has been acquired by theft; stolen; also (generally) taken stealthily.
3. Of a person or an animal: sly, stealthy.
4. Of a person, etc.: inclined to steal; pilfering, thieving.

Example Sentences

[…] The Defendant never vvas acknovvledged by the Sieur Harrouard’s Family, nor by that of his VVife. Thus, granting him to have been in Poſſeſſion of his Son’s Eſtate, it vvould only be a furtive and clandeſtine, not a public and avovved Poſſeſſion; and conſequently ſuch a Poſſeſſion as is incapable of founding a juſt and legal Title.

[T]ender cares and mild domestic Loves, / With furtive watch, pursue her [a swan] as she moves; […]

I noticed the same singular, and as it were, furtive glance over the shoulder that had attracted my attention in the Cassino.

The proprietor of the house cowered over a bed-candle and a furtive tea-pot in the back drawing-room.

"Don't call me Solomon. Do you want to be the death of me?" asked the man, in a furtive, frightened way.

At the edge of my kingdom scurry / ⁠Creatures in feathers and furs— / Crows in a furtive hurry— / ⁠Hungry and cringing curs— […]

Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control.

Novv ſhine theſe Planets vvith ſubſtantial Rays? / Does innate Luſtre gild their meaſur'd Days? / Or do they (as your Schemes, I think, have ſhovvn) / Dart furtive Beams, and Glory not their ovvn, / All Servants to that Source of Light, the Sun?

Word Forms

• more furtive
• most furtive

Synonyms for furtive

Related Words

When Should You Use Furtive?

Use furtive when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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