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Definition of iffy

iffy

/ˈɪf.i/
if · fy
Adverb:iffily
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iffy Lexical Profile

iffy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Full of uncertainty; doubtful, tentative, or unresolved.

Example

"Our plans for an outdoor picnic this weekend are still a bit iffy because of the weather forecast."

2

Of questionable quality, reliability, or morality; somewhat suspicious orinferior.

Example

"The mechanic warned that the car's brakes were looking pretty iffy and needed immediate replacement."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for iffy

• Nearby Words

idyllic
idyllically
if
iffy
iftar
igloo
igneous

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-y' to the conjunction 'if', and later popularized in the 1930s by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it to dismiss hypothetical press questions.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Iffy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/iffy
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