wily
pronunciation
How to pronounce wily in British English:
UK [ˈwaɪli]
How to pronounce wily in American English:
US [ˈwaɪli]
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- Adjective:
- marked by skill in deception
Word Origin
- wily (adj.)
- "subtle, cunning, crafty," early 14c., from wile (n.) + -ly (1). Related: Wiliness. In 16c. English had wily-pie "cunning fellow."
Example
- 1. The energetic and wily mr rubalcaba is the more obvious choice .
- 2. A wily congress fixer may be as qualified to overcome such obstacles as anyone .
- 3. Kotloff says that influenza is a wily virus , one that is difficult to predict .
- 4. The president is a wily manipulator of the tribal politics that still dominates yemen .
- 5. And several wily also-rans may hold the final balance of power .