What does wilily mean?
Wilily is an adverb that describes actions that are done with skill and cunning, often in a deceitful or tricky way. It is often used to describe clever or cunning actions, but may also have a slightly negative connotation. The word has a long history, dating back to the 14th century, and is derived from the Old English word 'will', meaning 'desire' or 'intention'. In modern usage, wilily is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe actions that are clever or cunning, but may also be used in more informal contexts to describe actions that are simply clever or resourceful. Overall, wilily is a useful word for describing actions that require skill and cunning, and is a great addition to any writer's or speaker's vocabulary.
adverbUsed to describe something that is done with skill and cunning, often in a deceitful or tricky way.
- Used to describe something that is done with skill and cunning, often in a deceitful or tricky way.
"She navigated the complex bureaucracy with wilily ease, managing to get what she wanted without arousing suspicion."
"She navigated the complex bureaucracy with wilily ease, managing to get what she wanted without arousing suspicion."
"He used his wilily tactics to outmaneuver his opponent in the business deal."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wilily
The word wilily is derived from the Old English word 'will', meaning 'desire' or 'intention'. It is related to the Middle English word 'wile', meaning 'cunning' or 'deceit'. The word has a long history, dating back to the 14th century, and has been used in various forms throughout the centuries to describe actions that are clever or cunning.
How wilily is actually used
Wilily is often used to describe actions that are clever or cunning, but may also have a slightly negative connotation, implying that the action is deceitful or manipulative. It is often used in formal or literary contexts.