摘要：“Furtive”源自15世纪英语，来自古法语 furtif，追溯至拉丁语 furtivus（偷窃的、隐秘的），由 fur（小偷）衍生，源自 ferre（携带）。最初指偷偷摸摸或隐秘的行为，后保持此义，形容动作或态度隐蔽、鬼祟。
furtive
[FURTIVE]
英 ['fɜːtɪv] 美 ['fɜːrtɪv]
adj.偷偷的
◉词源
“Furtive”源自15世纪英语，来自古法语 furtif，追溯至拉丁语 furtivus（偷窃的、隐秘的），由 fur（小偷）衍生，源自 ferre（携带）。最初指偷偷摸摸或隐秘的行为，后保持此义，形容动作或态度隐蔽、鬼祟。
◉外刊例句
① 《经济学人》（The Economist），2024年10月12日
His furtive glance at the documents raised suspicions.
他偷偷瞥向文件的一眼引起了怀疑。
② 《纽约时报》（The New York Times），2023年11月5日
The thieves moved with furtive steps through the dark alley.
小偷们在黑暗小巷中鬼祟地移动。
③ 《卫报》（The Guardian），2025年1月8日
She made a furtive attempt to slip the note into her pocket.
她偷偷试图将便条塞进 pocket。
◉经典名著
① 《傲慢与偏见》（Pride and Prejudice），简·奥斯汀（Jane Austen），1813年
Wickham’s furtive look betrayed his unease.
威克姆鬼祟的眼神暴露了他的不安。
② 《双城记》（A Tale of Two Cities），查尔斯·狄更斯（Charles Dickens），1859年
His furtive movements alarmed the crowd.
他鬼祟的动作惊动了人群。
◉Usage Examples
(1) He cast a furtive glance at her.
(2) They are making a furtive movement.
(3) That person was furtive and did not want to be noticed.
(1) 他偷偷瞥了她一眼。
(2) 他们正做一项诡秘的行动。
(3) 那人鬼鬼祟祟的并不想让人注意。
◉Usage Notes
If you're looking for a formal adjective to describe something sly or secret, sneak in furtive. Let's hope the teacher doesn't see your furtive attempts to pass notes in class!
The adjective, furtive, is related to fūrtum, the Latin word for theft or robbery. This is apparent as the expressions "to give someone a furtive glance" and "to steal a glance at someone" mean the same thing. If a person's manner is furtive, he or she is acting suspiciously. Secret, stealthy and sly are all similar in meaning, but they lack this image of a thief's actions.
◉柯林斯词典
1[ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词]偷偷摸摸的；鬼鬼祟祟的；秘密的 If you describe someone's behaviour as furtive, you disapprove of them behaving as if they want to keep something secret or hidden. [disapproval]
With a furtive glance over her shoulder, she unlocked the door and entered the house.
她鬼鬼祟祟地往身后扫了一眼，然后打开门锁进了房子。
furtively
He walked towards the summerhouse, at first furtively, then with more confidence.
他朝凉亭走去，开始还偷偷摸摸地，后来就壮大了胆子。
来源：学无用的英语