Understanding the Term 'Wily' in the US Context

Wily: Cunning or crafty; sly.] Native English speakers use the word wily and the adjective used to describe something that shows more cleverness than honesty.

The current phrase wily can be found through many areas of contemporary American culture, ranging from books to everyday dialogue. The term might be applied to a wily character in a story, someone who is crafty and can outsmart other characters.

With this in mind, while the wily definition can certainly be used as an insult it also denotes resourcefulness when faced with challenges if you dig deep enough. As a practical example, think of all the different paths a wily entrepreneur could take to finally become successful.

In short, the meaning of wily is two fold positive or negative depending on how you use it. Therefore, the sneaky definition is key to understanding US communications.