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.
On those songs, the percussive combination of Messrs. Hussain and Harland is striking—lively and festive on “Jai Ganga”; slyly grooving on “Tagore”; slow and alluring on “Bharati’s Dance, Tempo Divine.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
So yes, that sport you played in the school playground was slyly, quietly revolutionary.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Amanda Ghaffari slyly streams the Green Bay Packers game on her iPhone.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
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
“Friends who don’t even write to Harry Potter?” said Dobby slyly.
From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling
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.
