Definition Synonyms
Definition of sly - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
skillfuldexterous in performing an action to escape notice
- He made a sly move to win the game.
2.
secret clevernessclever in a secret way, often to trick people
- He gave a sly smile and hid the answer.
Expressions with sly
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very clever and tricky like a fox
He is sly as a fox when making deals.
in a stealthy way to avoid being noticed
She left the party on the sly.
cunning person who uses trickery
Everyone knew him as the sly fox of the group.
person who cleverly achieves something unexpected
He won the game, that sly dog!
smoke secretly to avoid being seen
He would smoke on the sly during his lunch break.
person with a cunning or mischievous look
He gave me a sly puss when he heard the plan.
Origin of sly
Old Norse, slœgr (cunning)
Terms with sly included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
hidden laugh
partly hidden laugh, sometimes sly or disrespectful
behavior
making sly or critical remarks about others
secrecy
quality of being secretive or sly
trick plans
sly and cunning
behavior
cunning and sly in behavior
insulting comment
say something mean or mocking in a sly way
mean comments
criticize someone in a sly or mean way
expression
look at someone with a sly or suggestive expression
sly criticism
critical remark made in a sly manner
deception
sly and dishonest in nature
criticism
targeted or criticized in a sly way
politics
sly person seeking advantage in politics
emotion
show amusement or satisfaction in a sly way
expression
sly or lecherous look or glance
malicious glance
showing sly or knowing malice in a glance
slyly
in a sly and secretive way
person
cunning or sly man
slyly
in a sly or playful manner
secret dealings
secret and unofficial, often with sly or underhanded intent
secrecy
in a secretive or sly manner
behavior
acting in a sly or stealthy manner
sneaky
in a sly or stealthy manner
slyly
in a sly and cunning way
cunning behavior
quality of being cunning and sly to deceive others
Examples of sly in a sentence
His sly tactics in negotiations were unmatched. His sly grin betrayed that he knew the secret. The politician made a sly promise to avoid the issue.
View all translations of sly
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:sournois, rusé, ...
- German:geschickt, ...
- Italian:astuto, sornione, ...
- Spanish:astuto, ladino, ...
- Portuguese:astuto, esperto, ...
- Chinese:狡猾的, 奸诈的, ...
- Japanese:巧妙な, ずる賢い, ...
- Arabic:مَاكِر, خَبيث, ...
- Hebrew:עַרְמוּמִי, תַּחְמָנִי, ...
- Russian:хитрый, лукавый, ...
- Ukrainian:хитрий, лукавий, ...
- Hindi:दबे-छिपे, धूर्त, ...
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