1 guile | Definition of guile
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guile

noun
\ ˈgī(-ə)l How to pronounce guile (audio) \

Definition of guile

1 : deceitful cunning : duplicity a war that called for guile rather than firepower
2 obsolete : stratagem, trick
Other Words from guile Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about guile

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Other Words from guile

guileful \ ˈgÄ«(-​É™)l-​fÉ™l How to pronounce guileful (audio) \ adjective
guilefully \ ˈgÄ«(-​É™)l-​fÉ™-​lÄ“ How to pronounce guilefully (audio) \ adverb
guilefulness noun

Examples of guile in a Sentence

By the end of Liebling's dispatch, Mollie has become a mythic figure invulnerable to death, capable of great feats of courage and guile, and able to transform himself into any human type for the purposes of disguise. — Lee Siegel, Harper's, December 2004 The going was painfully slow, but Chickenhound consoled himself on the long journey by boosting his own ego. "Maybe a silly bunch of rats could put one over on Sela. Huh, she was old and had lost a lot of her guile. Not like me! They hadn't reckoned with a smart intelligent young fox like I am." — Brian Jacques, Redwall, (1986) 2002 Untrained human nature was not frank and innocent; it was full of the twists and defences of an instinctive guile. — Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 a shady salesman who usually relies on a combination of quick thinking and guile a person so full of guile he can't even be trusted to give you the correct time of day
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Friend, business partner, creative collaborator—he and Edelman are Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas with significantly more guile but similar reserves of decorum. — Ben Baskin, SI.com, "Julian Edelman Is Back on Top and Ready to Take Over the World," 3 July 2019 Strengths: Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow won over teammates with grit, guile and some timely playmaking. — Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "2019 College Football Rankings: No. 6 LSU could challenge Alabama in SEC West," 19 Aug. 2019 Federer was often the one who seemed to be controlling the points—serving well, moving gracefully, volleying with touch and guile. — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, "Novak Djokovic, a Spoiler and a Champion at Wimbledon," 14 July 2019 What the Scot missed out on, future Reds managers took advantage of, the slippery winger's guile and trickery adding an intriguing element to the team. — SI.com, "Kenny Dalglish: The King of Anfield's All-Time Best XI," 19 June 2019 And tired eyes grow bright again, And careworn faces smile; And dreams are sweet and moments fleet, And hearts are free from guile. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "From the Archives: L. Frank Baum at Coronado," 16 June 2019 In it’s place is guile, guts, and a legendary resilience. — Rohan Nadkarni, SI.com, "The Warriors Deserve to Win These NBA Finals," 11 June 2019 Jaladoras became infamous for their guile and deceit. — Rachel Nolan, Harper's magazine, "Destined for Export," 10 June 2019 The fiction in this sci-fi was Ava: a truly convincing humanoid, powered by A.I., with all the cunning and guile of a Machiavellian human. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "How 'Ex Machina' Foresaw the Weaponization of Data," 16 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of guile

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for guile

Middle English gile, from Anglo-French, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wigle divination — more at witch

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More Definitions for guile

guile

noun
How to pronounce guile (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of guile

: the use of clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something

See the full definition for guile in the English Language Learners Dictionary

guile

noun
\ ˈgīl How to pronounce guile (audio) \

Kids Definition of guile

: the use of clever and often dishonest methods

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More from Merriam-Webster on guile

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with guile

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for guile

Spanish Central: Translation of guile

Nglish: Translation of guile for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of guile for Arabic Speakers

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