sly
cunning or wily: sly as a fox.
stealthy, insidious, or secret.
playfully artful, mischievous, or roguish: sly humor.
Idioms about sly
on the sly, secretly; a tryst on the sly.
Origin of sly
1Other words for sly
Opposites for sly
Other words from sly
- slyly, adverb
- slyness, noun
- un·sly, adjective, un·sly·er, un·sly·est.
- un·sly·ly, adverb
- un·sly·ness, noun
Words Nearby sly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sly in a sentence
From a geeky standpoint, Smith’s reboot-y sequel series honors its predecessor in ways notable and sly, thereby allowing it to function both as an accessible entry point and as a fleshed-out extension of what came before.
By the Power of Grayskull, ‘He-Man’ Is Back—Beefier and Better Than Ever | Nick Schager | July 23, 2021 | The Daily BeastIt’s a show about fitness, but it’s also, in a sly way, about feminism.
Rose Byrne on Unleashing Her Meanest Streak Yet in ‘Physical’: ‘It’s Deeply Uncomfortable’ | Kevin Fallon | June 17, 2021 | The Daily BeastOn the subject of fashion, men have been quite the sly devils over the years.
Why the tailored suit — not ruffles and lace — became synonymous with power | Robin Givhan | May 21, 2021 | Washington PostGoogle security researchers are warning people to be on the lookout for a squad of sly hackers believed to be North Korean agents.
As Xu Bing himself has noted, his made-up characters “seem to upset intellectuals,” in a sly sendup of our respect for the written word.
Reading, That Strange and Uniquely Human Thing - Issue 94: Evolving | Lydia Wilson | December 23, 2020 | Nautilus
Rambo movie marathon—11 am-12 am, AMCBecause nothing says the holidays like sly Stallone and blood.
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Weekend TV Guide: Must-See Marathons, Specials, and Parades | Kevin Fallon | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe movie has a very sly sense of humor, and I think people might miss that.
Sherman Alexie on His New Film, the Redskins, and Why It's OK to Laugh at His Work | William O’Connor | August 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis weekend, you can see sly lay waste to hundreds of fools in The Expendables 3.
Rambo Hates Guns: How Sylvester Stallone Became the Most Anti-Gun Celeb in Hollywood | Asawin Suebsaeng | August 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRylance was unforgettable as the mordantly sly king in Richard III, giving a brilliant new twist to a classic role.
Her songs draw on Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, and contemporary hip-hop.
In the Backseat With Janelle Monae: A Limo Ride with the Stylish R&B Diva | Douglas Wolk | April 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTJones said this with a chuckle and a sly expression in his face, as he glanced meaningly at his companion.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneIn the first place, one element of public-house talk—the overt or sly indecency—is left out.
The Chequers | James RuncimanHe had known men who were almost as sly as rats; but on the whole he looked upon them as inferior beings.
The Nursery, December 1881, Vol. XXX | VariousThere was a sly emphasis on the word, and a subtle humor in his look that showed the old detective at his worst.
The Circular Study | Anna Katharine GreenWe got Fanny a dress on the sly, gaudy black velvet and Duchesse lace.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson
British Dictionary definitions for sly
/ (slaɪ) /
crafty; artful: a sly dodge
insidious; furtive: a sly manner
playfully mischievous; roguish: sly humour
on the sly in a secretive manner
Origin of sly
1Derived forms of sly
- slyly or slily, adverb
- slyness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with sly
see on the sly.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse