Spiv

Quick meaning: Spiv is a noun meaning (UK, Ireland, historical) A smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods, especially during World War II.

Meaning

(UK, Ireland, historical) A smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods, especially during World War II.

More Meanings

1. (UK, Ireland, dated) A flashy con artist, often homeless, who lives by his wits.
2. (UK, Ireland, dated, Scotland Yard) A low and common thief.
3. (UK, Ireland, dated) A slacker; one who shirks responsibility.

Example Sentences

I mean, Mayfair is just top spivs stepping into the slippers of the former gentry, and Belgravia, like I've said, is all flats in houses built as palaces, and Chelsea—well!

It was Robeson who introduced me to the other blacks in New York, the Show Boat cast, the hangers-on, girlfriends, spivs, and bookies. "My people," he called them, "my brothers and sisters" […]

I make no apology for attacking spivs and gamblers who did more harm to the British economy than [transport union leader] Bob Crow could achieve in his wildest Trotskyite fantasies, while paying themselves outrageous bonuses underwritten by the taxpayer.

Word Forms

• spivs

Synonyms for spiv

Depending on context, synonyms include sharper, chiseler, bunco-steerer, charlatan, cheat, cheater.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include spial, spook, spyal, tout, skivvy, slyboots.

Related Dictionary Tools