Word
sly
US/ˈsɫaɪ/
UK/slˈaɪ/
Definitions
01cunning or dishonest
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. clever at tricking people or hiding your true plans.
adj. artfully cunning or wily; exhibiting a deceptive nature to achieve one's goals.
“He is a sly businessman who always manages to get the best deal.”
“The negotiator employed a sly tactic, withholding key information until the final hour to force a favorable compromise.”
02secretive or stealthy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. doing something in a quiet or secret way so that others do not notice.
adj. marked by or performed with artful secrecy; acting in a stealthy manner to avoid detection.
“She took a sly look at her phone under the table during the meeting.”
“With a sly movement of his hand, the magician swapped the cards while the audience was distracted by the smoke.”
Real-World Examples
“He takes the space, the voice is always bellowing and there is that sly smile and twinkle in his eyes – which he still has at 90.” “It was a game for big players to deliver – and Diego Maradona did, with a sly handball in his own box early on that stopped Oleg Kuznetsov from scoring.” Idioms
01. on the sly
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/sly