wily Definition
- 1skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully
- 2full of clever tricks; cunning
Using wily: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wily" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The wily old fox managed to escape the hunters.
Example
She used her wily charm to get what she wanted.
Example
The politician was known for his wily tactics.
Example
The detective admired the criminal's wily scheme.
wily Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with wily
Example
He managed to outsmart his opponents with his wily as a fox tactics.
Example
She gave him a wily smile before asking for a favor.
Example
He was known for his wily ways in business dealings.
Origins of wily
from Old English 'wil', meaning 'cunning'
Summary: wily in Brief
'Wily' [ˈwaɪli] is an adjective that describes someone who is skilled at gaining an advantage, often through deceitful or clever means. It can be used to describe people, animals, or schemes, such as 'The politician was known for his wily tactics.' 'Wily' is often paired with phrases like 'wily as a fox' or 'wily smile,' which suggest cunning and hidden motives.