Vulpine means relating to foxes, or having qualities we associate with foxes: cleverness, cunning, and sly intelligence.

When someone has a vulpine smile, they look clever and slightly mischievous, like they know something you don't. A character in a story might have vulpine features: a pointed face, sharp eyes, and an alert expression that suggests they're always thinking several steps ahead.

It works as a more precise and interesting way to describe fox-like qualities than just saying “foxy” or “fox-like.” You might read that a chess player employed vulpine tactics, meaning they used a cunning strategy to outmaneuver their opponent. Or a detective might possess a vulpine intelligence, noticing small details others miss and piecing together clues with sharp-witted cleverness.

Unlike words like “sneaky” or “tricky,” which can sound purely negative, vulpine can carry a sense of admiration for quick thinking and strategic intelligence. It acknowledges that being clever and adaptable, like a fox, takes real skill and mental agility.