wily

/ˈwaɪli/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈaɪli] /ˈwaɪli/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈaɪli] /ˈwī-lē How to pronounce wily (audio)/ (ame, mw)

wily — adjective

  • wilypositive
  • wiliercomparative
  • wiliestsuperlative

1. clever at deceiving others, using careful plans to get what you want

1.形容詞B2
釋義

clever at deceiving others, using careful plans to get what you want

例句

Eshe knew the wily trader was hiding the real price of the cloth.

A wily fox has been stealing eggs from the Hamza family's hen house all week.

wily used of animals: a wily fox

同義詞
  • crafty

    similar, but can suggest resourcefulness more than deception

  • cunning

    very close in meaning; emphasises careful planning of the trick

  • sly

    suggests secrecy and doing things in a hidden, underhand way

  • shrewd

    emphasises sharp practical judgement; often lacks the deceptive element

反義詞
  • straightforward

    honest and direct, without tricks

  • guileless

    completely without deception; innocent and trusting

  • naive

    too willing to trust, easily fooled by someone wily

用法筆記

Often carries a tone of grudging respect — the person is dishonest but you cannot help admiring how clever their plan was.

常見錯誤

❌She is a wily student who always gets top marks.
✅She is a clever student who always gets top marks.
💡'wily' means using tricks or deception, not just being intelligent.