wile

American  

[wahyl] / waɪl /

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

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verb (used with object)

wiled, wiling

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

   The music wiled him from his study.

verb phrase

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

   to wile away the long winter nights.

wile British  

/ waɪl /

noun

1. trickery, cunning, or craftiness

2. (usually plural) an artful or seductive trick or ploy

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verb

1. (tr) to lure, beguile, or entice

Related Words

See trick.

Other Word Forms

• outwile verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of wile

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

Related Words

• guile
• stratagem