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

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.