adjective
Uncommon
sly
sleye
Sly (adjective) means Cleverly deceptive or secretive, often in a mischievous way. Example: “She gave a sly smile before revealing the surprise.”
adjective
1
Cleverly deceptive or secretive, often in a mischievous way.
"She gave a sly smile before revealing the surprise."
"The fox is often portrayed as a sly, cunning creature in folk tales."
How to use sly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClever in a sneaky or scheming way.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sly grin
sly fox
on the sly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- slier, slyer
- Superlative
- sliest, slyest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ smile before revealing the surprise.
Etymology
From Old Norse "slœgr," meaning cunning or crafty, literally "capable of striking" — related to the English word "sleight," as in "sleight of hand."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sly” mean?
The word “sly” means cleverly deceptive or secretive, often in a mischievous way. In plain terms, clever in a sneaky or scheming way.
How do you pronounce “sly”?
“Sly” is pronounced sleye (/slaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sly” in a sentence?
Here is “sly” used in a sentence: “She gave a sly smile before revealing the surprise.”
What is another word for “sly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sly” include artful, crafty, cunning, knowing, sharp and shifty.
What part of speech is “sly”?
“Sly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sly” come from?
The word “sly” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse "slœgr," meaning cunning or crafty, literally "capable of striking" — related to the English word "sleight," as in "sleight of hand.".
Is “sly” a common word?
“Sly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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