Definition

In a clever and deceitful way, often to achieve a goal or trick someone.

Example

She wilily convinced her friends to help her with the project by making it sound fun.

Conversation

Did you see how she handled that situation?

Yeah, she did it so wily that no one even noticed!

I know, right? It was clever how she turned everything around.

Absolutely! She always knows how to play her cards.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Wilily** → The word 'wilily' is derived from 'wily' (from Old English *wilig*, meaning cunning or crafty) with the addition of the adverbial suffix '-ly' (meaning in a manner of). Thus, 'wilily' means in a cunning or crafty manner.

Memory Tip

Think of someone acting in a 'cunning' way ('wily') and doing so 'in a manner of' ('-ly'). This helps you remember that 'wilily' means to act cunningly.

Visually Confused Words