Wily: meaning, definitions and examples

🦊

Add to dictionary

wily

[ˈwaɪli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

sly

Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.

Synonyms

crafty, cunning, devious, scheming, sly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wily	Use when describing someone who is clever at achieving their goals by using indirect and often slightly dishonest methods, often in a resourceful or adaptable way. The wily businessman managed to outsmart his competitors The fox is often portrayed as a wily animal in fables
crafty	Suitable for describing someone who is very skilled at achieving their aims through clever and possibly deceptive methods. This word often carries a more light-hearted or mischievous connotation. Grandma was crafty enough to hide the sweets in a place where no one could find them The crafty child pretended to be asleep to avoid chores
cunning	This is used for someone who is clever at planning and making things happen through deceit or trickery. It has a more negative connotation involving manipulation. The villain's cunning plan almost succeeded The cunning thief escaped unnoticed
sly	Describes someone who is secretive and clever, often with an implication of trickery but can also have a playful or mischievous undertone, depending on the context. He gave a sly smile, knowing he had a trick up his sleeve The sly fox waited until nightfall to sneak into the henhouse
devious	Best suited to describe actions or strategies that are dishonest and intended to deceive someone. Has a strong negative connotation. She used devious methods to get the promotion The politician was known for his devious schemes
scheming	Use for someone who is constantly planning something, often with dishonest or deceitful intentions. Has a clear negative connotation. The scheming employee tried to sabotage his colleague's project Her scheming nature made it hard for others to trust her

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wily	Use 'wily' to describe someone who is clever and skilled at gaining an advantage, often found in competitive or tricky situations. It suggests a sense of ingenuity but can also imply deceit. The wily fox managed to escape the hunter. He was a wily negotiator who always got the best deals.
shrewd	Used to describe someone who has sharp judgment and is astute. It often has a positive connotation, especially in business or strategic contexts. She is a shrewd investor who rarely makes mistakes. His shrewd analysis of the situation saved the company a lot of money.
cunning	Refers to someone who is skilled in achieving their aims through deceitful or manipulative methods. This word has a significantly negative connotation. The cunning thief left no trace behind. He devised a cunning plan to outsmart his competitors.
sly	Often used to describe someone who is secretive and cunning, usually in a playful or mildly deceptive manner. It can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context. She gave him a sly smile, hinting that she knew more than she let on. The sly cat snuck into the kitchen to steal food.
crafty	Often used to describe someone who is good at achieving their goals by using clever or slightly dishonest means. It has a somewhat negative connotation. The crafty salesman convinced her to buy a product she didn't need. Her crafty schemes often got her into trouble.
devious	Describes someone who uses underhanded tactics and is not straightforward. It is strongly negative, highlighting dishonesty and trickery. The devious politician was known for his backdoor deals. She took a devious route to avoid being seen.

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'wily' comes from the Old English word 'wīl', meaning 'cunning' or 'sly'.
It has roots in the Proto-Germanic language, linking to words for deceit and craftiness.
The meaning has remained similar throughout centuries, reflecting a clever but possibly dishonest character.

Literature

In literature, characters described as wily often play the role of a trickster, challenging heroes in tales.
Famous literary figures, like Odysseus from Homer's 'Odyssey', show wily behavior to outsmart opponents and escape danger.
This quality is also seen in many fables, where animals demonstrate wily traits to overcome stronger foes.

Psychology

People who exhibit wily behavior may use their intelligence to manipulate social situations to their advantage.
Cunning strategies can be linked to higher emotional intelligence, allowing individuals to read social cues effectively.
Such behavior often raises questions about ethics, as being too wily can blur the lines between cleverness and deceit.

Pop Culture

Wily characters are common in movies and shows, where they often create humorous scenarios through their trickery.
In popular video games, players frequently encounter wily opponents who use clever tactics to challenge gamers.
The depiction of wily characters often reflects societal views on intelligence, resourcefulness, and morality.

Translations

Translations of the word "wily" in other languages:

🇵🇹 astuto

🇮🇳 चतुर

🇩🇪 listig

🇮🇩 licik

🇺🇦 хитрий

🇵🇱 przebiegły

🇯🇵 狡猾な

🇫🇷 rusé

🇪🇸 astuto

🇹🇷 kurnaz

🇰🇷 교활한

🇸🇦 ماكر

🇨🇿 mazaný

🇸🇰 prefíkaný

🇨🇳 狡猾的

🇸🇮 prebrisan

🇮🇸 slóttugur

🇰🇿 айлакер

🇬🇪 ჩარეული

🇦🇿 hiyləgər

🇲🇽 astuto

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.

...
20725 inductor
20726 ingeniously
20727 scribbled
20728 wily
20729 flawless
20730 honeycomb
20731 ranching
...