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.
It’s much more fun, as numerous stories about last week’s order did, to suggest slyly that the chief justice is doing a personal favor for the president.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
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
Next to them, Colbert plied his art slyly, even mildly, but regularly and in ways the nerdiest students of comedy could appreciate.
From Salon ● May 21, 2026
"It's a captivating, slyly sophisticated novel," said Natasha Brown, the chair of the judging panel.
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
My phone buzzes: Ben, slyly texting from my doorway.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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.
