Slyly

//ˈslaɪli// adv

adv ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    In a sly manner, cunningly.

    "VVhen ſhe vvas dreſt, therefore, dovvn ſhe vvent, reſolved to encounter all the Horrours of the Day, and a moſt diſagreeable one it proved; for Lady Bellaſton took every opportunity very civilly and slily to inſult her; […]"

Adverb
  1. 1
    in an subtle, cunning manner wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
artfullybackcraftilycunninglycunninglyfoxily

Example

More examples

"Daniel smiled slyly to himself."

Etymology

From Middle English sleighly; equivalent to sly + -ly.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.