shufty: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (slang, informal, rare)Informal, colloquial; often considered dated slang.
Quick answer
What does “shufty” mean?
A quick, informal look or glance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A quick, informal look or glance.
A brief inspection or reconnaissance, often carried out surreptitiously or casually.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Almost exclusively British/Commonwealth. Very rare in American English; an American speaker would likely use 'look-see', 'quick look', or 'glance'.
Connotations
In British usage, it carries connotations of informality, military/naval history, or light-hearted cheekiness.
Frequency
Low frequency even in the UK, mostly heard in older generations or in specific contexts (e.g., 'take a shufty at this').
Grammar
How to Use “shufty” in a Sentence
[Subject] has/takes a shufty at [Object][Subject] gives [Object] a shuftyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shufty” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- I'll just have a shufty at the manual before we start.
- He took a quick shufty out the window to check the weather.
American English
- (Rare) He said he'd take a shufty, but I think he was just being funny.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Informal, conversational, often humorous or nostalgic.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shufty”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is common or current in all Englishes.
- Spelling as 'shuffty' or 'shuftie'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is informal slang, primarily British, and considered quite dated by many speakers.
It comes from Arabic 'šūf' (see, look), picked up by British military personnel in the Middle East (e.g., Egypt) in the 19th/20th centuries.
Its primary use is as a noun (e.g., 'have a shufty'). Verb use ('shufty around') is much rarer and considered non-standard by most dictionaries.
No, it is not offensive. It is informal and can sound cheeky or humorous, but it is not derogatory.
A quick, informal look or glance.
Shufty is usually informal, colloquial; often considered dated slang. in register.
Shufty: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃʊfti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃʊfti/ (rare). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a shufty: Have a quick look.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'shuffling' quickly through papers to take a 'shufty' (a quick look).
Conceptual Metaphor
LOOKING IS ACQUIRING/TAKING (take/have a shufty).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shufty' MOST appropriately used?