What does sneaky mean?
Word: Sneaky
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Sneaky means doing things in a secret, quiet way, often to trick people or to get what you want.
Synonyms: sly, cunning
Antonyms: honest, open
How do you spell sneaky?
Syllables: sneak - y
Tricky part: The ee sound is spelt ea, as in team and beach. Sneeky looks right because of cheeky, but it is wrong.
Watch out for: sneeky, sneaki, sneakey
Memory tip: A sneaky monkey creeps up to eat the bananas, and sneaky keeps the ea of eat.
Sneaky in a sentence
Example 1: The sneaky monkey grabbed a banana from my bag.
Example 2: That was a sneaky way to win the game.
Example 3: Our sneaky cat hides under the table and pounces on our toes.
Fun Fact
The word sneak first turned up in English in the late 1500s, and nobody is quite sure where it came from.
Practise the CREST Way
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with the given word?
sneaky
a) squeaky
b) creaky
c) leaky
d) shaky
Show answer
d) shaky. Shaky has a long a sound, not the ee sound of the others.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
kesnay
a) using secret tricks so nobody notices
b) afraid of meeting new people
c) very tired and ready for bed
d) full of energy and liking to play
Show answer
a) using secret tricks so nobody notices. Kesnay can be rearranged into sneaky, a word for secret tricks.
Word Champ
Which of the words cannot be made using the letters in the given word?
sneaky
a) yes
b) sank
c) shake
d) snake
Show answer
c) shake. Shake needs an h, and sneaky has none.
Spell Spies
Choose the misspelt word/s in the given sentence:
The sneaky cat crept up on the ball of woll under the bed.
a) only woll
b) sneaky and woll
c) only crept
d) ball and bed
Show answer
a) only woll. Wool has a double o.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which animal is often shown as sneaky in stories?
a) a panda
b) a lamb
c) a fox
d) a cow
Show answer
c) a fox
2. A sneaky look is one that is ______.
a) bright and cheerful
b) sad and tearful
c) slow and proud
d) quick and hidden
Show answer
d) quick and hidden
