adj
wily
WEYE-lee
Wily (adj) means Clever in a sneaky or cunning way, especially at getting what one wants. Example: “The wily old fox slipped past the hunters again.”
adj
1
Clever in a sneaky or cunning way, especially at getting what one wants.
"The wily old fox slipped past the hunters again."
"She's a wily negotiator who always seems to get the better deal."
How to use wily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCunning and crafty — someone (or something) that outsmarts others through clever tricks.
Common pairings
wily old fox
wily negotiator
wily tactics
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Word forms
- Comparative
- wilier, more wily
- Superlative
- wiliest, most wily
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ old fox slipped past the hunters again.
Etymology
From Middle English wily, built from wile (a crafty trick) + -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wily
See all rhymes for wily →Frequently asked questions
What does “wily” mean?
The word “wily” means clever in a sneaky or cunning way, especially at getting what one wants. In plain terms, cunning and crafty — someone (or something) that outsmarts others through clever tricks.
How do you pronounce “wily”?
“Wily” is pronounced WEYE-lee (/ˈwaɪ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “wily” in a sentence?
Here is “wily” used in a sentence: “The wily old fox slipped past the hunters again.”
What is the opposite of “wily”?
The opposite of “wily” — its antonyms — are guileless, gullible, honest, ingenuous and naive.
What part of speech is “wily”?
“Wily” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wily” come from?
The word “wily” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wily, built from wile (a crafty trick) + -y.
