YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

guile

Noun

IPA /ɡaɪl/

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Meaning in plain English

Cleverness used to deceive or manipulate people.

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Pronunciation

guile/ɡaɪl/

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A trickster appears honest and friendly
They use a clever deception
Someone is persuaded to hand over money

Guile is cleverness used to mislead or manipulate others.

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Examples in context

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The trickster relied on guile to gain the villagers' trust.
The case study showed how the negotiator used guile to hide the deal's weaknesses.

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The trickster relied on ________ to gain the villagers' trust.

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guile — Cleverness used to deceive or manipulate people.

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Cleverness used to deceive or manipulate people.

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Word origin

Borrowed from Old French guile in Middle English.

Did you know?

Guile is uncountable; phrases such as without guile suggest openness or innocence.

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