iffy

adjective

if·​fy ˈi-fē 

1

: having many uncertain or unknown qualities or conditions

an iffy proposition

2

: of inconsistent or unreliable quality

iffiness noun

Examples of iffy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Left tackle Terron Armstead’s status for Sunday is iffy with a knee injury. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

But the team’s iffy three-point shooting cost it, as the Thunder shot only 15.6% from beyond the arc, and 33.7% from the field overall. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024

That’s not on the cards this time around with that market still iffy and not expected to deliver similar results. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024

While some products have iffy discounts every late November, TV prices are legitimately slashed, keeping these big-ticket gadgets on the top of the list of things to buy on Black Friday. —Clint Davis, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

if entry 1

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

iffy

adjective

if·​fy ˈif-ē 

1

: having many uncertain or unknown qualities or conditions

an iffy situation

2

: of inconsistent or unreliable quality

iffiness noun