pickpockety - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

Post

pickpockety

|pick-pock-et-y|

🇺🇸

/ˈpɪkˌpɑkəti/

🇬🇧

/ˈpɪkˌpɒkəti/

like a pickpocket / prone to theft

Etymology

Etymology Information

'pickpockety' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'pickpocket' plus the adjectival suffix '-y' meaning 'characterized by or inclined to'.

Historical Evolution

'pickpockety' developed from the compound noun 'pickpocket' (itself from 'pick' + 'pocket') with the productive suffix '-y' added in colloquial use to create an adjective meaning 'like a pickpocket' or 'prone to pickpocketing'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, the root 'pickpocket' meant 'a person who steals from pockets'; with the suffix '-y' the word evolved to describe qualities or situations 'characteristic of or conducive to pickpocketing'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

resembling or characteristic of a pickpocket; showing tendencies to steal or behave in a furtive, thievish way.

His pickpockety manner made other passengers keep their wallets in inner pockets.

Synonyms

thievishfurtive sly

Antonyms

honest trustworthy aboveboard

Adjective 2

likely to attract or enable pickpocketing; describing a place, situation, or object that makes theft easy.

The crowded, pickpockety market was full of tourists distracted by stalls.

Synonyms