English Meaning & Definitions
Giving a false impression; misleading or intended to mislead.
- “Appearances can be deceiving, so it is important to look beyond the surface.”
- “The calm weather was deceiving, as a massive storm was brewing just over the horizon.”
The present participle of deceive: deliberately causing someone to believe something that is not true.
- “He was accused of deceiving the public regarding the safety of the new product.”
- “She realized that by staying silent, she was essentially deceiving her best friend.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “deceiving”.
Originates from the Middle English 'deceiven', which was borrowed from the Old French 'deceveir'. This traces back to the Latin 'decipere', meaning 'to ensnare' or 'to cheat', a compound of 'de-' (from/away) and 'capere' (to take or seize). The word literally implies 'taking someone away' from the truth.
Think of 'de-receiving' the truth: you are not receiving the actual facts.
Frequently Asked Questions About “deceiving”
1. What is the meaning of “deceiving” in English?
In English, deceiving (adjective) is defined as: “Giving a false impression; misleading or intended to mislead.”.
2. How do you use “deceiving” in a sentence?
“Appearances can be deceiving, so it is important to look beyond the surface.”
3. What are English synonyms of “deceiving”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “deceiving”?
Originates from the Middle English 'deceiven', which was borrowed from the Old French 'deceveir'. This traces back to the Latin 'decipere', meaning 'to ensnare' or 'to cheat', a compound of 'de-' (from/away) and 'capere' (to take or seize). The word literally implies 'taking someone away' from the truth.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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