# sly

/ˈsɫaɪ/ (US) · /slˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sly
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. cunning or dishonest

adjective · CEFR B2

clever at tricking people or hiding your true plans.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. secretive or stealthy

adjective · CEFR B2

doing something in a quiet or secret way so that others do not notice.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He gave me a sly smile before he left.
- The fox is often portrayed as a sly character who outsmarts the other animals in the forest.
- Her sly suggestion that the project might face delays was a calculated move to undermine her rival's confidence without making a direct accusation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.