rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysleazyDishonest or sordid
adjective

sleazy

SLEE-zee/ˈsliːzi/

Morally low, dishonest, or cheaply sordid.

The sleazy operator hides the pea while taking the customer's money.

A sleazy shell-game operator takes a customer's money while secretly keeping the game's pea in her other hand beneath the table.
Etymology
sleazyEnglishoriginally fuzzy or flimsy, of fabric; origin unknown

From fuzzy or flimsy material, sleazy shifted toward the sordid and morally cheap.

More examples

  • The deal has a sleazy air.
  • She avoids the sleazy promoter.

Forms

sleazy

Similar words

sordid
Morally distasteful or degraded.
dishonest
Specifically involving deception or lack of truthfulness.