cunningly

American

[kuhn-ing-lee] / ˈkʌn ɪŋ li /

adverb

in a way that shows ingenuity or shrewdness.

The game introduces basic principles of coding and develops problem-solving prowess while cunningly disguised as just another game.
Informal. in a way that is charmingly cute or appealing.

The cunningly named FarmHouse Hotel reflects the quaint beauty of the English countryside.

Other Word Forms

overcunningly adverb
quasi-cunningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of cunningly

cunning ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

To do something cunningly is to do it in a crafty, sneaky, and skillful manner. You might cunningly distract your parents so your brother can sneak a few extra cookies from the cookie jar. Just make sure he shares. If you do something cunningly, you are being a little sneaky. You might cunningly compliment your mom just to get on her good side before she sees your report card. Your best friend might lie so cunningly that people always believe him, while your awkward fibs get you caught every time. Cunningly comes from the adjective cunning, based on the now-obsolete verb cunnen, "to know."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing cunningly

"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

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The Jungle Book

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Part 2 Vocabulary (Unit 1)

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then it was on to selling him, cunningly and ferociously, to RCA, 20th Century Fox and whoever else would help build the mighty Elvis industry.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

Passing sentence Judge Geoffery Baker QC described Saeed as a "charlatan", who had carried out a deception that had been "cunningly contrived, skilfully executed, and brazenly maintained over three decades".

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2025

This system cunningly increases the proportion of offspring with Wolbachia and the virus in the next generation, because females with the bacteria successfully reproduce more frequently than females without.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2024

We had a few doozies, some of which were cunningly disguised as shallow pools of water!

From Seattle Times • Feb. 19, 2024

Like all of his schemes it would be cunningly simple and wickedly brilliant.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023