Word
wily
US/ˈwaɪɫi/
UK/wˈaɪli/
Definition
adj. clever and good at tricking people or getting what they want. You use this to describe someone who is very smart and knows how to stay one step ahead of others.
adj. possessing or showing skill in achieving one's ends by cunning or guile. Often used to describe individuals who are shrewd and difficult to outwit.
Examples
“The wily old salesman knew exactly what to say to get the deal.”
“After years of playing the game, the wily veteran knew how to avoid the rookie's traps and win the match.”
“The wily politician navigated the complex web of local interests with such precision that his opponents eventually realized they had been outmaneuvered at every turn.”
Examples
simple
“The wily old salesman knew exactly what to say to get the deal.”
contextual
“After years of playing the game, the wily veteran knew how to avoid the rookie's traps and win the match.”
complex
“The wily politician navigated the complex web of local interests with such precision that his opponents eventually realized they had been outmaneuvered at every turn.”
Real-World Examples
“Welbeck was wily and deadly, creeping off his marker and heading home.” “Derek McInnes is experienced and wily and hard working, but his team is not a smart team, not yet anyhow.” Etymology
From Middle English wily, wiley, wyly. By surface analysis, wil(e) + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/wily