# devious

/ˈdiviəs/ (US) · /dˈiːvɪəs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. indirect or winding

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a path or route that is not direct and has many turns.

For teachers: deviating from a direct or straight course; circuitous or roundabout.

- They took a devious route through the mountains to avoid the main road.
- The explorers followed a devious path through the dense thicket, doubling back several times before finding the hidden valley.

Usage: In modern English, this literal sense is rare and usually replaced by 'winding' or 'circuitous'.

## Examples

- He has a devious plan to win the election.
- The manager used devious methods to convince the staff to work through the weekend without extra pay.
- While the proposal appeared straightforward on the surface, a closer reading revealed several devious clauses designed to shift all financial liability onto the smaller partner.

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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.