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🇨🇳Chinese Source WordCode: ZH

偷偷摸摸的

Pronunciation / Transliteration: tōutōu mōmō de

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Furtive/ˈfɜːr.tɪv/
adjectiveCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #5400 frequency
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🇨🇳 Example Sentence in Chinese:

"他偷偷摸摸地瞥了一眼门外。"

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.

    "She cast a furtive glance at the confidential documents lying on the desk."
  2. 2

    Suggestive of sly or guilty avoidance; stealthy or surreptitious in nature.

    "His furtive behavior immediately aroused the suspicion of the security guards."
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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin furtivus, meaning 'stolen' or 'secretive', stemming from furtum ('theft'), which is rooted in fur ('thief'). The term entered English in the late 16th century, retaining its core connotation of stealth, slyness, and an attempt to avoid notice due to guilt or caution.

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