Basic Details
Word: Cunningly
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a clever and sly way, often to trick someone or to get an advantage.
Synonyms: slyly, craftily, cleverly, artfully
Antonyms: openly, innocently, honestly
How to Spell Cunningly
Syllables: cun - ning - ly
Tricky part: Nothing changes when ly is added, so all three n's of cunning stay. Writing cuningly or cunnigly drops one of them.
Watch out for: cuningly, cunnigly, cunningley
Memory tip: Spell the whole of cunning first and only then stick ly on the end, the way quick becomes quickly.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The striker cunningly pretended to shoot with her left foot and then passed the ball.
Example 2: The thief had cunningly hidden the necklace inside a hollow loaf.
Example 3: Arjun cunningly saved his best joke for the end of the speech.
Fun Fact
Adding ly to an adjective is the commonest way English makes adverbs, but a few words such as fast and hard stay the same in both roles.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
cu_ni_gly
a) n, n
b) n, g
c) m, n
d) n, m
Show answer
a) n, n. Both gaps take n, giving the double n in the middle and the n of ing.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The magician gnicnlyun slipped the coin into the boy's pocket.
a) uncannily
b) cunningly
c) unknowingly
d) stunningly
Show answer
b) cunningly. Uncannily comes close, but it has an a where the jumble has a g, and the other two need a k, w, s or t.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word cunningly as used in the sentence:
The spy cunningly waited until the guards changed shifts before slipping through the gate.
a) carelessly
b) clumsily
c) slyly
d) openly
Show answer
c) slyly. Slyly means in a secret, clever way, just like waiting for the right moment.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which word is the opposite of cunningly?
a) artfully
b) craftily
c) slyly
d) innocently
Show answer
d) innocently
2. The cat hid ____ behind the door, ready to pounce on the mouse.
a) carelessly
b) noisily
c) openly
d) cunningly
Show answer
d) cunningly
