london.localmean.com/dodgy
dodgy
DOJ-ee · /ˈdɒdʒ.i/
Local meaning
Dishonest, suspicious, unreliable, unsafe, faulty, or likely to cause problems.
“Dodgy” is a flexible British adjective. A dodgy deal may be dishonest, a dodgy chair may be unsafe, a dodgy stomach may be unwell, and a dodgy situation may feel risky. London visitors often encounter it in everyday warnings because one short word can cover trust, quality, health, and reliability.
Examples in context
- That link looks dodgy — don’t click it.
- The chair is a bit dodgy, so sit somewhere else.
- He tried to sell me a dodgy ticket outside the station.
How it is used
The noun after “dodgy” identifies the sense. It can express uncertainty rather than prove that something is illegal or dangerous.
Suspicious, cautious, critical, or humorous.
Warnings about people, products, health, weather, technology, and uncertain situations.
Broad informal British use.
When applied to a person or business, it can imply dishonesty without evidence, so use it carefully.
Spelling and scope
Common informal British English used throughout London and the UK; not uniquely London or specifically youth slang.
Common search forms stay discoverable without claiming that every London community uses one spelling.
Common patterns
- looks dodgy
- a bit dodgy
- dodgy deal
- dodgy stomach
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
Sources support the definition, history, or usage layer. Local review remains welcome.
- dodgy — English meaningCambridge Dictionary
Documents UK informal senses including dishonest, unreliable, unsafe, faulty, or likely to cause problems.