Word
deceive
Phoneticsde·ceive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈsiv/
UK/dɪsˈiːv/
Definition
v. to make someone believe something that is not true. You deceive someone when you hide the truth or lie to them on purpose.
v. to cause someone to believe something that is false; to mislead intentionally.
Examples
“The magician deceived the audience with his tricks.”
“The company deceived customers by hiding the extra fees in small print.”
“Politicians often deceive the public by promising reforms they have no intention of delivering once elected.”
Examples
simple
“The magician deceived the audience with his tricks.”
contextual
“The company deceived customers by hiding the extra fees in small print.”
complex
“Politicians often deceive the public by promising reforms they have no intention of delivering once elected.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Etymology
From Middle English deceyven, from Anglo-Norman deceivre, from Latin dēcipiō (“to deceive; beguile; entrap”), from dē- (“from”) + capiō (“to seize”); see captive. Compare conceive, perceive, receive. Displaced native Old English beswīcan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/deceive