devious

adjective

de·vi·ous ˈdē-vē-əs How to pronounce devious (audio)

-vyəs

: wandering, roundabout

a devious path

: moving without a fixed course : errant

devious breezes

: out-of-the-way, remote

upon devious coasts

: deviating from a right, accepted, or common course

devious conduct

: not straightforward : cunning

a devious politician

also : deceptive

a devious trick

a devious plot

deviously adverb

deviousness noun

Did you know?

The "Lost" History of Devious

If you think someone devious has lost their way, you're right, etymologically speaking—the word derives from the Latin adjective devius, itself formed from the prefix de- ("from" or "away") and the noun via ("way"). When devious was first used in the 16th century, it implied a literal wandering off the way, suggesting something that meandered or had no fixed course (as in "a devious route" or "devious breezes"). Relatively quickly, however, the word came to describe someone or something that had left the right path metaphorically rather than literally, or to describe deceitful rather than straightforward behavior.

Example Sentences

a dishonest and devious politician He took us by a devious route to the center of the city.

Recent Examples on the Web In the second spot, which debuted Monday during the Clemson-Georgia Tech game, Young showed his ability to change his facial expression and display a more devious side.

Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 The result is sometimes as claustrophobic and ill-conceived as Peter’s mad love for his devious boy toy.

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 Merhige treads a very fine line between crafting his own vampire story while also delivering a devious industry send-up, as well as a striking homage to Nosferatu.

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2022 Hart dropped by The Tonight Show on Monday night (July 25) to tell his goat tale, describing his devious plan to get Rock’s goat in the best way possible.

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 July 2022 The restraint needed to avoid inserting a particularly devious clue into a puzzle meant for beginners is remarkable.

New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 The character of Tricia, rather than just being the usual parent/victim/stooge in an attack-of-the-kid-from-hell horror movie, has a devious agenda.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2022 In trying to get her piece of the casino deal, Autumn has to navigate around the very devious powerful citizens of Chucalissa.

Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé’s brilliant yet devious alter ego, came out to play with this one.

Natachi Onwuamaegbu, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 See More

单词	deviousness
释义	devious adjective de·vi·ous ˈdē-vē-əs -vyəs 1 a : wandering, roundabout a devious path b : moving without a fixed course : errant devious breezes 2 : out-of-the-way, remote upon devious coasts 3 a : deviating from a right, accepted, or common course devious conduct b : not straightforward : cunning a devious politician also : deceptive a devious trick a devious plot deviously adverb deviousness noun Did you know? The "Lost" History of Devious If you think someone devious has lost their way, you're right, etymologically speaking—the word derives from the Latin adjective devius, itself formed from the prefix de- ("from" or "away") and the noun via ("way"). When devious was first used in the 16th century, it implied a literal wandering off the way, suggesting something that meandered or had no fixed course (as in "a devious route" or "devious breezes"). Relatively quickly, however, the word came to describe someone or something that had left the right path metaphorically rather than literally, or to describe deceitful rather than straightforward behavior. Synonyms artful beguiling cagey cagy crafty cunning cute designing dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a dishonest and devious politician He took us by a devious route to the center of the city. Recent Examples on the Web In the second spot, which debuted Monday during the Clemson-Georgia Tech game, Young showed his ability to change his facial expression and display a more devious side. Mark Heim \| Mheim@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 The result is sometimes as claustrophobic and ill-conceived as Peter’s mad love for his devious boy toy. Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 Merhige treads a very fine line between crafting his own vampire story while also delivering a devious industry send-up, as well as a striking homage to Nosferatu. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2022 Hart dropped by The Tonight Show on Monday night (July 25) to tell his goat tale, describing his devious plan to get Rock’s goat in the best way possible. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 July 2022 The restraint needed to avoid inserting a particularly devious clue into a puzzle meant for beginners is remarkable. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 The character of Tricia, rather than just being the usual parent/victim/stooge in an attack-of-the-kid-from-hell horror movie, has a devious agenda. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2022 In trying to get her piece of the casino deal, Autumn has to navigate around the very devious powerful citizens of Chucalissa. Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé’s brilliant yet devious alter ego, came out to play with this one. Natachi Onwuamaegbu, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin devius, from de from + via way — more at de-, way First Known Use 1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Kids Definition devious adjective de·vi·ous ˈdē-vē-əs 1 : sneaky, dishonest 2 : not straight : having many twists and turns a devious trail deviousness noun as in cunning skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means his deviousness was almost as awesome as his lack of scruples Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance cunning sneakiness slyness cunningness artfulness subtlety guile wiliness craftiness caginess canniness subtleness slickness ease artifice inventiveness foxiness cleverness guilefulness craft shrewdness calculation ingenuity ingeniousness duplicity cageyness underhandedness design finesse savvy care deceitfulness shiftiness sharpness facility
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devious

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

noun