wile

[ wahyl ]

noun

1. a trick, artifice, or stratagem meant to fool, trap, or entice; device.

   Synonyms: maneuver, contrivance, deception

2. wiles, artful or beguiling behavior.

   Synonyms: maneuver, contrivance, deception

3. deceitful cunning; trickery.

   Synonyms: fraud, chicanery

verb (used with object)

, wiled, wil·ing.

1. to beguile, entice, or lure (usually followed by away, from, into, etc.):

   The music wiled him from his study.

verb phrase

1. to spend or pass (time), especially in a leisurely or pleasurable fashion:

   to wile away the long winter nights.

wile

/ waɪl /

noun

1. trickery, cunning, or craftiness
2. usually plural an artful or seductive trick or ploy

verb

1. tr to lure, beguile, or entice

Other Words From

• outwile verb (used with object) outwiled outwiling

Word History and Origins

Origin of wile¹

1125–75; (noun) Middle English; late Old English wil, perhaps < Old Norse vēl artifice, earlier *wihl-

Word History and Origins

Origin of wile¹

C12: from Old Norse vel craft; probably related to Old French wīle, Old English wīgle magic. See guile

Synonym Study

See trick.

Example Sentences

Longtime commission member Sean Kennedy, who wrote the memo, described the group as “currently active” and said it has sometimes been at odds with another Norwalk subgroup that predates it and is identified by a Wile E. Coyote logo.

From Los Angeles Times

Ninety percent of charges were for some form of child abuse, neglect or endangerment wile 86% of cases did not require prosecutors to find evidence of harm to the fetus.

From Salon

Likewise, publishers who opt to create push-button novels will be sawing off the proximal tree limb with Wile E. Coyote abandon.

From Salon

Cole Custer could end up in a car in either Cup or the Xfinity Series with backing of Haas’ CNC Automation company, wile Herbst has significant financial backing from Monster Energy that should give him options.

From Seattle Times

AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote in his review that “Fast X” is monstrously silly and stupidly entertaining — just Wile E. Coyote stuff, ridiculous stunts employing insane G-forces and everything seemingly on fire.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• guile
• stratagem