# wile

/ˈwaɪɫ/ (US) · /wˈaɪl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wile
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a clever trick you use to fool someone and get what you want.

For teachers: a cunning stratagem or deceitful trick employed to mislead or gain advantage.

## Examples

- He uses every wile to win the game.
- The salesman uses all his wiles to persuade elderly customers to sign expensive contracts.
- Despite her opponent's rhetorical wiles, the debater held her ground, exposing each misleading argument with calm precision.

## Synonyms

trick, ruse, ploy, scheme

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the plural 'wiles' to describe sustained or repeated cunning.

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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.