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Definition of "spiv" []

  • Chiefly British Slang One, usually unemployed, who lives by one's wits. (noun)
  • Chiefly British Slang One who shirks work or responsibility; a slacker. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "spiv" in a sentence
  • "Update: Upon reflection I think Mr Weston might well be seen as a slightly camp version of what the English used to call a "spiv"."
  • "This political 'spiv' gave no thought to the aftermath of his decisions internationally or nationally."
  • "However, he was only following the precedent set by the spineless grinning 'spiv' Blair who constantly referred to and talked about:"