slyer also slier ˈslī(-ə)r How to pronounce sly (audio) ; slyest also sliest ˈslī-əst How to pronounce sly (audio)
1
chiefly dialectal
a
: wise in practical affairs
b
: displaying cleverness : ingenious
2
a
: clever in concealing one's aims or ends : furtive
b
: lacking in straightforwardness and candor : dissembling
3
: lightly mischievous : roguish
a sly jest
slyly adverb
or less commonly slily
She slyly evaded the question.
slyness noun
Phrases
on the sly
: in a manner intended to avoid notice
Choose the Right Synonym for sly

sly, cunning, crafty, wily, tricky, foxy, artful, slick mean attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means.

sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

Examples of sly in a Sentence

the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop why, you sly fellow! I had no idea you were planning my birthday party
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under showrunner Rolin Jones, the adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels is richly written, thrillingly inhabited by its cast and so effortlessly funny with a framing device — the interview of the title — that is thick with intrigue and sly comedy. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024 She’s assisted by a wise librarian (Jessica Harper in a sly turn) and soon starts talking about empowerment to the moms in her Book Babies and Tyke Hike groups. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 4 Dec. 2024 The cheerful giraffe is one of several animal planters to choose from, with other options including an adorable dachshund, spiky hedgehog and sly fox. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 3 Dec. 2024 With sly wit and improbable empathy, the show simultaneously scrutinizes the arrogance of the traditional medical establishment and the presumptions and false promises of the wellness industry. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sly 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sleighe, sli, from Old Norse slœgr; akin to Old English slēan to strike — more at slay

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sly was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near sly

Cite this Entry

“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sly. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sly

adjective
slier or slyer ˈslī(-ə)r How to pronounce sly (audio) ; sliest or slyest ˈslī-əst How to pronounce sly (audio)
1
a
: clever at hiding one's goals or purpose
b
: tending to secrecy or concealment
2
: lightly mischievous
a sly smile
slyly adverb
slyness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sly

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