---
title: "sketchy · GenZ Decoded"
description: "sketchy: Suspicious, shady, unsafe, or of questionable quality; also shortened to \"sketch\". Example: \"That alley looks sketchy, let's not go down there.\""
url: "https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/sketchy/"
lang: "en"
image: "https://genzdecoded.com/og/default.jpg"
---

# sketchy

Gen Z[#bad](https://genzdecoded.com/slang-for/criticism/)

**Meaning.** Suspicious, shady, unsafe, or of questionable quality; also shortened to "sketch".

See it in a sentence

That alley looks sketchy, let's not go down there.

## How each generation says it

The closest equivalent for this idea in every generation.

- Gen Z · this one

    sketchy,[sus](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/sus/)

- Gen Alpha

    No word for this one yet.

- Millennial

    No word for this one yet.

- Gen X

    No word for this one yet.

- Boomer

    No word for this one yet.

- Plain English

    suspicious, shady, unsafe, or of questionable quality

// the shop [Shop LOST IN TRANSLATION shirts and hoodies for families who speak two kinds of slang](https://genzdecoded.com/shop/)

## Related slang

- [shade](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/shade/): A subtle insult or expression of disrespect.
- [side-eye](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/side-eye/): A subtle expression of criticism, suspicion, or disapproval.
- [slop](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/slop/): Low-quality, carelessly made content, often mass-produced AI material.
- [small dick energy](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/small-dick-energy/): An air of insecure, try-hard overcompensation and bravado.

[Back to the A–Z dictionary](https://genzdecoded.com/glossary/)[Open the translator](https://genzdecoded.com/translate/)