Word
guile
US/ˈɡaɪɫ/
UK/ɡˈaɪl/
Españolastucia
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. clever and dishonest behavior that people use to trick others.
n. astuteness marked by cunning, artful deception, or duplicity. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
Examples
“He used his guile to trick the other players.”
“The politician was known for his guile, often using clever words to avoid answering difficult questions from the press.”
“The protagonist's journey is defined by a shift from innocence to a sophisticated understanding of the guile required to navigate the treacherous social hierarchies of the court.”
Examples
simple
“He used his guile to trick the other players.”
contextual
“The politician was known for his guile, often using clever words to avoid answering difficult questions from the press.”
complex
“The protagonist's journey is defined by a shift from innocence to a sophisticated understanding of the guile required to navigate the treacherous social hierarchies of the court.”
Usage
Usually functions as an uncountable noun; often paired with verbs like 'use', 'employ', or 'rely on'.
Real-World Examples
“Which they did, until the 42nd minute when the guile of Tielemans and Fernandes combined in a move that sliced through Sabah and showed up a callowness at elite level.” “Cucurella, replacing Ferland Mendy, brings guile and tactical savvy, supporting Vinicius Junior on the left.” Etymology
From Middle English gile, from Anglo-Norman gile, from Old French guile (“deception”), from Frankish wīl (“ruse”), from Proto-Germanic wīlą, from Proto-Indo-European *wey- (“to turn, bend”). Cognate via Proto-Germanic with wile.
Variant forms.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/guile
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0