deceive
[ dih-seev ]
/ dɪˈsiv /
verb (used with object), de·ceived, de·ceiv·ing.
to mislead by a false appearance or statement; delude: They deceived the enemy by disguising the destroyer as a freighter.
to be unfaithful to (one's spouse or lover).
Archaic. to while away (time).
verb (used without object), de·ceived, de·ceiv·ing.
to mislead or falsely persuade others; practice deceit: an engaging manner that easily deceives.
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Origin of deceive
1250–1300; Middle English deceiven<Old French deceivre<Latin dēcipere, literally, to ensnare, equivalent to dē-de- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take
synonym study for deceive
1. See cheat.
OTHER WORDS FROM deceive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for deceive
British Dictionary definitions for deceive
deceive
/ (dɪˈsiːv) /
verb (tr)
to mislead by deliberate misrepresentation or lies
to delude (oneself)
to be unfaithful to (one's sexual partner)
archaic to disappointhis hopes were deceived
Derived forms of deceive
Word Origin for deceive
C13: from Old French deceivre, from Latin dēcipere to ensnare, cheat, from capere to take
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012