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Translate files Deceptive
/dɪˈsɛptɪv/
Meaning & Definition
adjective
tending to deceive; misleading or fraudulent.
The deceptive advertisement promised instant weight loss without any effort.
not genuine; appearing to be something that it is not.
Her smile was deceptive; beneath it lay a great deal of sadness.
designed to mislead or trick.
The magician used deceptive tactics to create the illusion of a floating ball.
giving an appearance or impression different from the true one.
The deceptive calm of the sea before the storm made sailors underestimate the danger.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from de- (expressing reversal) + cept- (from Latin capere 'to seize') + -ive.
Common Phrases and Expressions
deceptive appearance
an outward look that misrepresents reality
deceptive practices
activities that involve tricking or misleading others
deceptive marketing
advertising that misrepresents the quality or characteristics of a product
Related Words
deception
the act of deceiving; misleading or tricking someone.
deceive
to cause someone to believe something that is not true.
deceiver
a person who deceives others.
Slang Meanings
playing someone
He was just playing her, being deceptive about his feelings.
pulling a fast one
Don't let him pull a fast one with that deceptive smile.