sly

/ˈslī/

Middle English sleighe, sli, from Old Norse slœgr; akin to Old English slēan to strike

adjective

  1. wise in practical affairs

  2. displaying cleverness : ingenious

  3. clever in concealing one's aims or ends : furtive

sly cunning crafty wily tricky foxy artful slick mean attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means. sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.