Vocabulary word Wily - Practice with online flashcards, spelling bees and vocabulary quizzes

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Dictionary Definition of wily

Clever, cunning, and skilled at using deceit or manipulation to achieve their goals.
"He was a wily salesman, able to talk people into buying things they didn't need."

Detailed Meaning of Wily

When we characterize someone as wily, we emphasize their ability to think and act shrewdly, often with a keen awareness of how to outsmart others. Wily individuals are adept at navigating complex situations, devising strategic plans, and adapting to changing circumstances to their advantage. This term conveys a sense of resourcefulness and a talent for finding creative solutions, even if those solutions involve a degree of trickery or subterfuge. Whether it's a wily negotiator, a wily strategist, or a wily character in literature or film, this adjective underscores their ability to outwit and outmaneuver others through cunning and astute thinking.

Example Sentences for Wily

1. The wily fox was always able to elude the farmer's traps.
2. With his wily wit, Jack was able to persuade the audience to his point of view.
3. She was a wily politician, known for her strategic maneuvers.
4. His wily tactics won the chess tournament.
5. Despite the police's efforts, the wily thief was still at large.
6. The wily salesman convinced me to buy an unnecessary extended warranty.

Origin and Etymology of Wily

The adjective 'wily' has its etymological roots in Old English and Middle English. It is derived from the Old English word 'wil,' which meant 'clever' or 'cunning.' In Middle English, it evolved into 'wily' with the same sense of cleverness and cunning. The term 'wily' typically describes someone who is skilled at using deceit or manipulation to achieve their goals. Its etymology reflects its long-standing association with clever and shrewd behavior, often involving a degree of craftiness or guile to outsmart others.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective wily:

cunning

straightforward

honest

naive

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Wily

1. Her wily character often helped her in difficult situations.
2. The wily detective was able to outsmart the culprits.
3. It was a wily plan, destined to succeed.
4. The wily veteran knew how to work the system to his advantage.
5. He was a wily old fox, always full of tricks.
6. My cat is wily; she always manages to steal food from the table.
7. The wily inventor had a knack for turning simple ideas into groundbreaking technologies.
8. Despite being new, the wily player soon dominated the field.
9. Her wily eyes gave away nothing of her thoughts.
10. The wily magician amazed the crowd with his seemingly impossible tricks.
11. You need to be wily to survive in this competitive business world.
12. He was a wily negotiator, always securing the best deal.
13. Wily strategies are necessary for winning complex board games.
14. The wily lawyer managed to get the verdict in his client's favor.
15. The wily fox cunningly outwitted the hunters and escaped into the woods.
16. With his wily smile, the salesman managed to convince me to buy a product I didn't really need.
17. The wily detective pieced together the clues and unraveled the complex mystery.