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Definition of guile

guile

/ɡaɪl/
guile
Adverb:guilefully
•
Plural:guiles
•
Adjective:guileful
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guile Lexical Profile

guile Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Sly, calculating, or insidious intelligence and deceit used to achieve a goal.

Example

"The seasoned diplomat used charm and subtle guile to persuade the opposing delegation."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for guile

• Nearby Words

guideword
guild
guildhall
guile
guileful
guileless
guillemot

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-Norman and Old French 'guile' (deceit, trickery), which is of Germanic origin and shares a common linguistic root with the English word 'wile'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Guile. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/guile
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