# deceiving

/dɪˈsivɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪsˈiːvɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. misleading appearance

adjective · CEFR B2

making you believe something that is not true, especially by looking different from reality.

For teachers: tending to mislead or give a false impression; often used when the outward appearance of something contradicts its true nature.

- The sunny weather was deceiving because the wind was actually freezing cold.
- The simplicity of the interface is deceiving, as the software contains a vast array of sophisticated tools for professional data analysis.

Usage: Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', or 'look'.

### 2. the act of lying

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of hiding the truth or making someone believe a lie.

For teachers: the action of deliberately causing someone to believe something that is false; the gerundial form of the verb 'deceive'.

- He was tired of the constant deceiving and decided to tell the truth.
- The systematic deceiving of the public regarding the company's financial health eventually led to a high-profile investigation by the authorities.

Usage: Usually functions as an uncountable noun in this sense.

## Examples

- The calm water is deceiving because the current is very strong.
- The sunny weather was deceiving, as the temperature was actually well below freezing once we stepped outside.
- While the initial data suggested a recovery, the figures proved deceiving once the analysts accounted for seasonal fluctuations and one-off government subsidies.

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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.