craftily

Craftily is an English adverb meaning in a crafty, cunning, or sly manner. It describes actions performed with craftiness or deceit, often implying manipulation or evasion. While it can be used descriptively in neutral terms, the word generally carries a negative or critical tone, highlighting sly or underhanded technique rather than straightforward skill.

Etymology and form: Craftily derives from the adjective crafty, formed with the standard -ly adverb suffix. Its use stretches back to Early Modern English and remains primarily literary or formal in tone. Related forms include craftiness (noun), crafty (adjective), and craft (noun/verb), all sharing the core sense of skill applied in a shrewd or deceitful way.

Usage notes: In modern writing, craftily is most common where the emphasis is on guile or subterfuge. It is less frequent in everyday speech, with alternatives such as cunningly, slyly, or artfully often providing more precise nuance. When used, it typically modifies a verb and conveys that the action was executed with planning, trickery, or a deceptive arrangement. Examples include “She craftily rearranged the evidence” or “They craftily avoided the question.”

See also: crafty, cunning, sly, artful, cunningly, slyly.