slyly
Americanadverb
-
in a deceitful manner; cunningly.
They slyly plot to overthrow us.
-
in a roguish or mischievous way.
Some were serious, while others slyly winked at the camera.
Etymology
Origin of slyly
First recorded 1350–1400 slyly ( def. 1 ); 1835–40 slyly ( def. 2 ); sly ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing slyly
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.
Through Valerie, Kudrow slyly performs our terminal habit of downgrading devastating developments to champagne problems, merrily chirping her character’s catchphrase, “How’s that?”
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026
“EPiC” follows Presley as he blazes through classics including “Little Sister,” slyly asserting his influence in rock by segueing into the Beatles’ “Get Back.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026
Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, a Messenger from 1977 to 1981, is represented by his brightly accessible and slyly swinging “Fuller Love.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025
“But do our children need such concern or do we slyly foster it clinging to our motherly purpose?”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025
“You’re right. I give up,” he said slyly.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
