sly
sly Lexical Profile
sly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature, especially in achieving one's goals secretly or craftily.
"The sly fox waited patiently behind the bushes until the farmyard was quiet."
(Of a remark, glance, or smile) playfully mischievous, insinuating, or showing secret knowledge.
"She gave him a sly wink across the dinner table, hinting that the surprise party was still a secret."
Done in a secret, furtive, or underhanded manner to avoid notice.
"He took a sly glance at his watch while the speaker was looking the other way."
Word Nuance & Usage
The comparative and superlative forms can be spelled either 'slyer'/'slyest' or 'slier'/'sliest', and the adverb form can be 'slyly' or 'slily', though 'slyer', 'slyest', and 'slyly' are more common in modern standard English.
• Rhymes for sly
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Old Norse 'slœgr' ('clever, cunning, skillful'), related to the verb 'slá' ('to strike, forge'). Originally used in a positive sense meaning wise or skillful, the word gradually narrowed to its modern sense of stealthy cunning.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.