What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sly
Example
The sly fox stole the chicken from the coop. [sly: adjective]
Example
She gave him a sly smile before slipping away unnoticed. [sly: adjective]
wily
Example
The wily politician managed to win the election through clever tactics. [wily: adjective]
Example
He used his wily charm to persuade her to invest in his business. [wily: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sly is more commonly used than wily in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sly and wily?
Wily may be considered more formal or literary than sly, but both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
