furtive

furtive /;f;rtiv/

Definition: attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive

Origin: from Latin furtivus, from furtum ‘theft’.

Example: She cast a furtive glance in his direction.

Secretive is a synonym of furtive, which means being cautious and keeping things quiet to avoid drawing attention. When someone is acting furtively, they are usually attempting to keep something hidden. The word secretive implies a general tendency toward privacy, while furtive suggests a specific instance of trying to hide something. In both cases, there is an underlying sense of guilt or embarrassment that motivates the behavior. People may describe someone as being furtive or secretive if they suspect that person is hiding something.

***
fur·tive
[;f;;t;v]

adjective
furtive (adjective)
attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive:
"they spent a furtive day together""he stole a furtive glance at her"
Similar:
secretive
secret
surreptitious
sly
sneaky
wily
underhand
under the table
clandestine
hidden
covert
cloaked
conspiratorial
underground
cloak and dagger
hole and corner
hugger-mugger
stealthy
sneaking
skulking
slinking
sidelong
sideways
oblique
indirect
black
hush-hush
shifty
Opposite:
open
above board
suggestive of guilty nervousness:
"the look in his eyes became furtive"