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Chivalry Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Cunning v.s sly
What's the most significant difference/s between these two words?
As I checked out the dictionary the results turned out to have pretty much the same meaning.
1.cunning-"Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness."
2.sly-"Clever or cunning, especially in the practice of deceit."
As I checked out the dictionary the results turned out to have pretty much the same meaning.
1.cunning-"Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness."
2.sly-"Clever or cunning, especially in the practice of deceit."
Top answer
Hi Chivalry, The first definition of both sly and cunning means having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion. I think the differences can be seen in the second and third definitions. Cunning: 2 attractive; quaint : Example : The baby will look cunning in that pink print.
- Hi Chivalry, The first definition of both sly and cunning means having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
- I think the differences can be seen in the second and third definitions.
- Cunning: 2 attractive; quaint : Example : The baby will look cunning in that pink print.
- Sly: 2 (of a remark, glance, or facial expression) showing in an insinuating way that one has some secret knowledge that may be harmful or embarrassing: Example: He gave a sly grin.
- 3 (of an action) surreptitious: Example: She took a sly sip of water .
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5 Answers
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Hi Chivalry,
The first definition of both sly and cunning means having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
I think the differences can be seen in the second and third definitions.
Cunning:
2 attractive; quaint : Example: The baby will look cunning in that pink print.
Sly:
2 (of a remark, glance, or facial
The first definition of both sly and cunning means having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
I think the differences can be seen in the second and third definitions.
Cunning:
2 attractive; quaint : Example: The baby will look cunning in that pink print.
Sly:
2 (of a remark, glance, or facial
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Hi,
2 attractive; quaint : Example: The baby will look cunning in that pink print.
I've never heard of this meaning, never heard the word used this way.
I wonder if it is some 'nonsense' use, like eg saying that something wonderful is 'sick'?
Clive
2 attractive; quaint : Example: The baby will look cunning in that pink print.
I've never heard of this meaning, never heard the word used this way.
I wonder if it is some 'nonsense' use, like eg saying that something wonderful is 'sick'?
Clive
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Hi,
Here is a link to the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cunning
The second definition of the adjective "cunning" is:
2 North American, attractive or quaint: Example: Baby will lo
Here is a link to the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cunning
The second definition of the adjective "cunning" is:
2 North American, attractive or quaint: Example: Baby will lo
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JohnParisHi,
Here is a link to the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cunning
The second definition of the adjective "cunning" is:
2 North American, attractive or quaint: Example: Baby will look
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I agree - it's an odd one, Rover.
And I'm certainly not defending usage I've heard only three or five times in my entire life. But it is correct, and it could serve someone (such as a poet?). So, I'd just ignore it and if someone brought it up in class I'd tell them how weird it sounds and leave it at that.
Cheers,
John
And I'm certainly not defending usage I've heard only three or five times in my entire life. But it is correct, and it could serve someone (such as a poet?). So, I'd just ignore it and if someone brought it up in class I'd tell them how weird it sounds and leave it at that.
Cheers,
John
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