Word
deceptive
Phoneticsde·cep·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈsɛptɪv/
UK/dɪsˈɛptɪv/
Definition
adj. giving an appearance or impression that is different from the true reality. You use it when something looks one way but is actually another.
adj. giving an appearance or impression different from the true reality; misleading. Often used to describe physical appearances or statistical data that mask an underlying truth.
Examples
“The calm sea was deceptive because the current was very strong.”
“The house's small exterior is deceptive, as it actually contains five large bedrooms and a spacious basement.”
“Economists warned that the deceptive rise in consumer spending was fueled by temporary debt rather than a genuine increase in household wealth or long-term financial stability.”
Examples
simple
“The calm sea was deceptive because the current was very strong.”
contextual
“The house's small exterior is deceptive, as it actually contains five large bedrooms and a spacious basement.”
complex
“Economists warned that the deceptive rise in consumer spending was fueled by temporary debt rather than a genuine increase in household wealth or long-term financial stability.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', or 'look'. Frequently paired with 'highly' or 'potentially'.
Pitfall
the deceptive of the results
the deceptiveness of the results
Learners sometimes use the adjective 'deceptive' where the noun 'deception' or 'deceptiveness' is required.
Real-World Examples
“Again, the company settled , agreeing to pay a $5 billion penalty and again promising to stop its deceptive data collection practices.” “Criminals create both deceptive profiles and urgent scenarios to carry out the scam.” Etymology
From Middle French déceptif, from Latin dēceptīvus, from dēcipiō (“I deceive”).
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/deceptive