Wily: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸฆŠ
Add to dictionary

wily

 

[ หˆwaษชli ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

sly

Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.

Synonyms

crafty, cunning, devious, scheming, sly

Examples of usage

  • He's a wily old fox who knows how to get what he wants.
  • The wily politician managed to avoid answering the difficult questions.
Context #2 | Adjective

clever

Full of clever tricks; very clever and able to achieve what you want, especially in a slightly dishonest way.

Synonyms

crafty, cunning, devious, shrewd, sly

Examples of usage

  • The wily detective solved the case using his intelligence and cunning.
  • She came up with a wily plan to outsmart her opponents.

Translations

Translations of the word "wily" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น astuto

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคคเฅเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช listig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ licik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ะธั‚ั€ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przebiegล‚y

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็‹ก็Œพใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rusรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ astuto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kurnaz

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ตํ™œํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุงูƒุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mazanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ prefรญkanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‹ก็Œพ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prebrisan

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ slรณttugur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะนะปะฐะบะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฉแƒแƒ แƒ”แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hiylษ™gษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ astuto

Etymology

The word 'wily' originated from the Old English word 'wil' meaning 'trick.' Over time, it evolved to 'wily' in Middle English, retaining its meaning of being skilled in deceitful tactics. The term has been commonly used in English literature and conversations to describe someone who is clever and cunning in achieving their goals.

See also: wile.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,728, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.