WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
guile•ful
(gīl′fəl),USA pronunciation adj.
guile′ful•ly, adv.
guile′ful•ness, n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- insidiously cunning;
artfully deceptive;
wily.
- 1300–50; Middle English; see guile, -ful
guile′ful•ness, n.
guile /gaɪl/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
guile•less, adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- slyness or cunning in reaching a goal;
crafty or artful deception;
duplicity.
guile•less, adj.
guile
(gīl),USA pronunciation n.
- insidious cunning in attaining a goal;
crafty or artful deception;
duplicity.
- Gmc; akin to wile
- Old French
- Middle English 1175–1225
- trickery, fraud, craft. See deceit.
'guileful' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):