Usually means: Secretly, often to avoid detection.
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We found 16 dictionaries that define the word on the sly:

General (14 matching dictionaries)
  1. on the sly: Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
  2. on the sly: Merriam-Webster
  3. on the sly: Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
  4. on the sly: Collins English Dictionary
  5. on the sly: Vocabulary.com
  6. on the sly: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
  7. on the sly: Wiktionary
  8. On the sly, on the sly: Dictionary.com
  9. on the sly: Rhymezone
  10. on the sly: FreeDictionary.org
  11. on the sly: Mnemonic Dictionary
  12. on the sly: TheFreeDictionary.com

Miscellaneous (1 matching dictionary)
  1. on the sly: Idioms

Slang (1 matching dictionary)
  1. On the sly: Urban Dictionary

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Definitions from Wiktionary (on the sly)

▸ adverb:  (idiomatic) Slyly, in an inconspicuous manner, so as not to be seen; secretly; stealthily.

Similar:
furtively, sneakingly, slyly, sneakily, sneakishly, stealthily, surreptitiously, by the sly, clandestinely, underhand, more...

Opposite:
openly, publicly, frankly

Phrases:
follow on the sly, leave on the sly, more...

▸ Words similar to on the sly

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▸ Idioms related to on the sly

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▸ Words that often appear near on the sly

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▸ Invented words related to on the sly

Similar:
furtively, sneakingly, slyly, sneakily, sneakishly, stealthily, surreptitiously, by the sly, clandestinely, underhand, more...

Opposite:
openly, publicly, frankly

Phrases:
follow on the sly, leave on the sly, more...



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