Guile
/ɡaɪl/
nounC2
Definition
Guile is the skill of using smart but tricky or dishonest methods to achieve a goal. It often means hiding your real intentions and making others believe something that is not true. People with guile can be very clever but also not always honest.
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See It in Action
Skillful use of clever but dishonest methods
- •The spy used guile to get important secrets.
- •She showed guile by pretending to agree while planning her own move.
- •Politicians sometimes use guile to win votes.
The quality of being tricky or sly
- •His guile helped him escape from danger.
- •The thief’s guile made it hard for the police to catch him.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "guile" like "smart," but with a secret, tricky side that can fool others.
- ✓Picture a fox sneaking quietly and carefully to catch its prey without being seen.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone tricks you with a clever lie or plan.
- ✓Sounds like "guy-l" → imagine a clever guy who uses tricks to win a game.
- ✓In stories, guile is like a clever villain who uses plans to trick heroes.
- ✓NOT like "honest" (open and truthful), guile hides the true plan.
- ✓NOT like "luck" (random chance), guile is a skillful, planned trick.
- ✓NOT like "bravery" (being brave), guile is about being clever and secretive.
- ✓NOT like "strength" (physical power), guile uses the mind, not muscles.
Try Other Words
- •Cunning: skill in achieving goals by clever and sometimes dishonest ways (Use when you want to emphasize cleverness with a little dishonesty)
- •Deceit: the act of hiding the truth to fool someone (Use when focus is more on lying than cleverness)
- •Trickery: use of tricks to deceive others (Use when describing actions that fool others)
- •Craftiness: skill in using clever plans to get what you want (Use when you want a softer word that can be positive or negative)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; a simple root word)
- •Etymology: From Old French "guile," meaning deception or trickery
- •Historical development: Used since the Middle Ages to mean clever but dishonest behavior
- •Modern usage: Used to describe cleverness with a negative or sneaky meaning, often in stories or serious talk about dishonesty
Reflect & Connect
•Fill-in-blank: I feel guile when I try to solve a problem by thinking of a clever plan instead of asking for help.
•How can guile be both useful and harmful in real life?
•Can someone be clever without using guile? How would you describe that person?
Fill in the blanks
1.The most guileful character I know is _______ because _______.