First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
deceive
verb de·ceive \di-ˈsēv\
: to make (someone) believe something that is not true
de·ceivedde·ceiv·ing
Full Definition of DECEIVE
transitive verb
1
archaic : ensnare
2
a obsolete : to be false to b archaic : to fail to fulfill
3
obsolete : cheat
4
: to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid
5
archaic : to while away
intransitive verb
: to practice deceit; also : to give a false impression <appearances can deceive>
— de·ceiv·er noun
— de·ceiv·ing·ly \-ˈsē-viŋ-lē\ adverb
See deceive defined for English-language learners
See deceive defined for kids
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Origin of DECEIVE
Middle English, from Anglo-French deceivre, from Latin decipere, from de- + capere to take — more at heave
Related to DECEIVE
- Synonyms
- bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick, do a number on, lead one down the garden path (also lead one up the garden path), pull one's leg, pull the wool over one's eyes
- Antonyms
- undeceive
Synonym Discussion of DECEIVE
deceive, mislead, delude, beguile mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness. deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness <tried to deceive me about the cost>. mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional <I was misled by the confusing sign>. delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth <we were deluded into thinking we were safe>. beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving <was beguiled by false promises>.
Rhymes with DECEIVE
DECEIVED Defined for Kids
deceive
verb de·ceive \di-ˈsēv\
de·ceivedde·ceiv·ing
Definition of DECEIVE for Kids
1
: to cause to believe what is not true : mislead <His lies deceived me.>
2
: to be dishonest and misleading <Appearances can deceive.>
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