What does deceive mean?
To deceive is to make someone believe something that is untrue, usually deliberately and often for personal gain. The word applies across a wide range of situations, from outright fraud — a con artist deceiving investors — to subtler forms of misrepresentation, such as flattering appearances or misleading advertising. Unlike a simple mistake, deceiving implies intent: the deceiver knows the truth and conceals it. The verb also works reflexively in the phrase 'deceive oneself,' describing the very human tendency to hold comforting illusions rather than face unwelcome facts. Deceive is somewhat formal in register; in casual conversation speakers tend to say 'fool,' 'trick,' or 'lie to.' Its derivatives are equally useful: deception (the act), deceptive (tending to mislead, as in 'a deceptive calm'), deceit (the quality of dishonesty), and deceiver (the person). Because deception is a constant theme in law, politics, relationships, and literature, deceive remains an essential word for describing the gap between appearance and reality.
verbTo cause someone to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage.
- To make someone believe something that is false, usually deliberately and for advantage.
- (reflexive, deceive oneself) To hold a mistaken belief, often wishfully.
"The salesman's friendly manner was designed to deceive customers about the car's true condition."
"He deceived his business partners for years before the fraud was uncovered."
"She had deceived herself into thinking he would change."
Deceive comes from the Latin decipere, literally 'to catch or ensnare' — every act of deception is, etymologically speaking, a trap being set.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of deceive
Deceive derives from Old French deceivre, from Latin decipere meaning 'to ensnare, catch, or cheat', formed from de- ('away') plus capere ('to take, seize'). The original image is of catching someone in a snare or trap. English adopted the word from Anglo-Norman French in the Middle Ages, and it has carried its sense of deliberate misleading ever since. It shares the Latin root capere with words such as conceive, receive, and perceive, all of which involve some kind of 'taking'.
Related word forms
How deceive is actually used
Deceive is a relatively formal verb; in everyday speech people more often say trick, fool, or lie to someone. It carries a strongly negative connotation, implying deliberate intent. It commonly appears in the pattern 'deceive someone into doing something.'
Easily confused with deceive
"Decieve" is simply a common misspelling of deceive — the correct spelling follows the rule 'i before e except after c'.