wile

1 of 2

noun

ˈwī(-ə)l 

1

: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive

also : a beguiling or playful trick

2

: skill in outwitting : trickery, guile

wile

2 of 2

verb

wiled; wiling

transitive verb

1

: to lure by or as if by a magic spell : entice

2

[by alteration] : while

Synonyms

Noun

• artifice
• device
• dodge
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• jig
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ploy
• ruse
• scheme
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick

Verb

• allure
• beguile
• bewitch
• captivate
• charm
• enchant
• fascinate
• kill
• magnetize
• witch [archaic]

Choose the Right Synonym for wile

trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end.

trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Examples of wile in a Sentence

Noun

had to use all of her wiles to convince her guests to stay for dinner

it took both wile and cajolery to talk him into it

Verb

her stories of the Old South could wile anyone

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Where Ricken sees benevolence and opportunity, Devon sees only wiles and trickery. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Even Bubbles/Tiger Lily is able to use her wit and wiles to secure a $50,000 dollar annulment. —Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2025

Verb

The result is more kids wiling away hours indoors scrolling through addictive apps, leaving much less time for free-play and socializing out of the house, says Zach Rausch, lead researcher to Haidt and an associate research scientist at NYU-Stern School of Business. —Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025

Will Smith stars as a penniless Anthony Ramos lookalike fish named Oscar, who wiles away his days scrubbing cetaceans’ tongues clean in the 'Whale Wash,' fantasizing about the good life. —Them, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wil, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse vēl deceit, artifice

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wile

1 of 2 noun

ˈwī(ə)l 

1

: a trick intended to deceive or trap

2

: skill in tricking

: guile

wile

2 of 2 verb

wiled; wiling

: to lure by or as if by a magic spell