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Guile: meaning, definitions and examples

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guile

 

[ɡaɪl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

deceitful behavior

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

Synonyms

craftiness, cunning, deception, slyness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
guile

Guile implies a deceitful cleverness and is often used when someone is achieving their goals through indirect, cunning methods. It's usually negative.

  • She managed to secure the deal through sheer guile
deception

Deception is the act of misleading or lying to someone. It is always negative and denotes a malicious intent to deceive.

  • The entire plot was built on their complex web of deception
cunning

Cunning refers to cleverness or skill in achieving one's goals, often through deceit or trickery, and can be used in both positive and negative contexts depending on the situation.

  • The fox is often portrayed as a cunning animal in many fables and stories
craftiness

Craftiness suggests cleverness and skill, typically in a deceptive or cunning way. It also has a slightly negative connotation.

  • His craftiness helped him escape from the trap set by his enemies
slyness

Slyness refers to being clever in a secretive or stealthy way. This word often carries a negative connotation, implying sneakiness.

  • Her slyness allowed her to overhear the conversation without being noticed

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
guile

This word is often used when talking about cunning and deceitful behavior. It has a negative connotation.

  • He won the game through guile and trickery
cleverness

This word is used to describe a person's ability to think quickly and solve problems. It usually has a positive connotation.

  • Her cleverness helped her solve the complex problem easily
skillfulness

This word is used to describe someone's proficiency and competence in a particular area. It is generally positive.

  • His skillfulness in playing the guitar is admired by many
craftiness

This word describes someone who is good at achieving their goals through deceit or underhanded tactics. It has a negative connotation.

  • His craftiness in negotiations often left his opponents at a disadvantage
ingenuity

This word is used to describe creativity and inventiveness, especially in solving problems or coming up with new ideas. It has a positive connotation.

  • Her ingenuity led to the development of a revolutionary new product

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the Old French word 'guile', which means 'deceit' or 'slyness'.
  • Roots trace back to the Germanic word 'wīh', meaning 'to bewitch or deceive'.
  • The term has been used in English since the late 14th century, illustrating a long history of its meaning.

Literature

  • Guile is a common trait found in characters from various genres, particularly in works like Shakespeare's 'Othello' where manipulation plays a key role.
  • In 'The Odyssey', Odysseus uses his guile to outwit opponents and escape dangerous situations.
  • Many classic fairy tales feature characters who rely on clever tricks and guile to achieve their goals or defeat evil.

Psychology

  • Cognition and social intelligence are often linked to one's ability to use guile, as it requires understanding and predicting others' behaviors.
  • Guile can sometimes be a sign of emotional intelligence, where individuals use their skills to navigate complex social situations.
  • People with high levels of guile might excel in negotiation, using strategies that play on emotions and perceptions.

Pop Culture

  • Characters like Tom Ripley from Patricia Highsmith's novels exemplify guile, using their charm and deceit for personal gain.
  • In movies like 'Ocean's Eleven', the clever heists depict guile as a key to success, showcasing the thrill of deception.
  • Video games often feature characters or plots that revolve around guile, such as in stealth games where players must outsmart foes.

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

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.