# deceit

/dəˈsit/ (US) · /dɪsˈiːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deceit
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. dishonest character

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the quality of being dishonest or the habit of lying to people.

For teachers: the quality or state of being deceitful; a character trait defined by dishonesty.

- She was shocked by the deceit in his eyes when he spoke.
- The poet explores the inherent deceit of appearances, suggesting that beauty often masks a hollow interior.

### 3. legal fraud

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a legal term for lying about important facts to hurt someone or take their money.

For teachers: the tort of fraudulent representation of a material fact made with knowledge of its falsity to induce reliance and cause injury.

- The company was sued for deceit after lying about the safety of their product.
- To succeed in an action for deceit, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant made a false representation with the intent that it be acted upon.

Usage: In legal contexts, it is often used as an uncountable noun referring to the specific cause of action.

## Examples

- He was caught in a web of deceit.
- The company was sued for deceit after it was discovered they had hidden the safety risks of their new product.
- In legal contexts, a claim of deceit requires proof that the defendant made a false representation with the intention that the plaintiff should act upon it to their detriment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.