Risky or dangerous; narrowly decided — a situation with a high chance of danger or where the outcome is very close.
際どい運転でヒヤリとした。
I had a scary moment from risky driving.
試合は最後まで際どい展開だった。
The match was a close one until the end.
彼の発言は際どい局面での決断を促した。
His remark prompted a decision in a critical, risky situation.
Suggestive or risqué; bordering on obscene or indecent — potentially scandalous or delicate depending on context.
そのジョークは際どくて会場が少しざわついた。
The joke was risqué and the audience was a bit unsettled.
記者の質問は際どい内容だったが、答えは曖昧にかわした。
The reporter's question was delicate/borderline, but the answer dodged it ambiguously.
Archaic: extreme or severe; a now-archaic usage meaning harsh or intense.
古い文献では『際どい』が『甚だしい』という意味で使われることがある。
In old texts, 'kiwadoui' is sometimes used to mean 'excessive' or 'severe'.