SLY

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Irregular inflected forms: slier , sliest , slyer , slyest

I. (adjective)

Comparative and superlative

Comparative: slier

Superlative: sliest

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by skill in deception

Example:

a wily old attorney

Synonyms:

crafty; cunning; dodgy; foxy; guileful; knavish; slick; sly; tricksy; tricky; wily

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

artful (marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft)

Derivation:

slyness (shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception)

Credits

Context examples:

A desperate dull life hers must be with the doctor, making a sly face as he spoke towards the chair of the latter, who proving, however, to be close at his elbow, made so instantaneous a change of expression and subject necessary, as Fanny, in spite of everything, could hardly help laughing at.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He turned to seize his weapon, but as he did so his gaze fell upon the blazonry of sir Nigel's shield, and he stood staring, while the fire in his strange green eyes softened into a sly and humorous twinkle.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as he was only a few years older than me; but I didn’t want to do anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the very morning of the wedding.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And yet that Indian was a sly fellow also.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

What a sly fellow Laurie is!

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Oh! now you are looking very sly.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

But Lizzy, you have been very sly, very reserved with me.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Oh, don't be so sly before us, said Mrs. Palmer; for we know all about it, I assure you; and I admire your taste very much, for I think he is extremely handsome.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

There was not a single point in which we differed; I would not have had you by for the world; you are such a sly thing, I am sure you would have made some droll remark or other about it.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

In this way, the sly old gentleman got round proud Jo, and furnished her with the style of boy in which she most delighted.