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# sneaky

adjective (sneaky, sneakier, sneakiest)

«sneaky» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Doing things in a secret, sly way so that other people do not notice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#m1)
2. Done quietly or secretly, often to get an advantage or to trick someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#m2)
3. (informal) Small and hidden but clever, like a sneaky trick or a sneaky snack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories it tells the reader a character is sly, secretive or not to be trusted, or is cleverly avoiding being seen. In everyday talk it often means a small naughty act: «a sneaky look», «a sneaky biscuit». In maths problems «a sneaky trick question» warns that the obvious answer is wrong. Phrases: «sneaky look», «sneaky peek», «sneaky trick», «sneaky little».

### Examples

- The sneaky fox crept up to the henhouse at night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x1)
- My brother had a sneaky look at his presents before his birthday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x2)
- That was a sneaky move in the chess game! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x3)
- Mum caught me having a sneaky biscuit before tea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x4)
- The question was sneaky: it asked for the difference, not the sum. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x5)
- Don't be sneaky — tell the teacher what really happened. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x6)
- The cat is sneaky and steals food off the bench. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x7)
- She gave a sneaky smile because she knew the answer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x8)
- “Sneaky tell-tale!” Tink called out from somewhere round the corner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/#x9)

### Note

Comparative «sneakier», superlative «sneakiest»; adverb «sneakily», noun «sneakiness». Comes from «sneak» (to move quietly). «Sneaky» can be playful (a sneaky snack) or a criticism (a sneaky liar); the tone tells which. In the UK and Australia «a sneak» can also mean a child who tells tales.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sneaky» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sneaky/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sneaky» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sneaky.html) on Mova free.