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Guile: meaning, definitions and examples

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guile

 

[ ɡaɪl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

deceitful behavior

Guile is the use of clever but dishonest methods to achieve something.

Synonyms

craftiness, cunning, deception, slyness

Examples of usage

  • He used guile and deception to trick his opponents.
  • The villain's guile knew no bounds as he manipulated those around him.
  • She relied on her guile to outsmart her competitors.
  • The con artist's guile was unmatched in the criminal underworld.
  • Her guile was evident in the way she always seemed to get what she wanted.
Context #2 | Noun

cleverness

Guile can also refer to cleverness or skillful evasion.

Synonyms

cleverness, craftiness, ingenuity, skillfulness

Examples of usage

  • His success was due to a combination of talent and guile.
  • The detective used his guile to solve the case quickly.
  • Her guile in negotiation always resulted in favorable outcomes.
  • His opponent was no match for his quick thinking and guile.
  • The athlete's guile on the field impressed both teammates and opponents.

Translations

Translations of the word "guile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 astúcia

🇮🇳 चालाकी

🇩🇪 List

🇮🇩 tipu daya

🇺🇦 хитрість

🇵🇱 podstęp

🇯🇵 狡猾さ

🇫🇷 ruse

🇪🇸 astucia

🇹🇷 kurnazlık

🇰🇷 교활함

🇸🇦 مكر

🇨🇿 lest

🇸🇰 zloženie

🇨🇳 狡猾

🇸🇮 prevara

🇮🇸 gáta

🇰🇿 қулық

🇬🇪 ჭკვიანობა

🇦🇿 dələduzluq

🇲🇽 astucia

Etymology

The word 'guile' originated from the Old French 'guile' meaning 'deceit, treachery'. It entered Middle English in the 13th century, retaining its meaning of cunning deception. Over time, 'guile' has come to encompass both deceitful behavior and cleverness. The term is often associated with trickery and manipulation, highlighting the dual nature of the word.

See also: beguile, guileless.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,284, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.