Download the app
educalingo
Search
It's like someone cutting up a loved one in front of you, all the time insisting they've got your best interests at heart. They're very devious nowadays.
Malcolm Wilson

Meaning of "devious" in the English dictionary

Dictionary
DICTIONARY
section

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD DEVIOUS

From Latin dēvius lying to one side of the road, from de- + via road.
info
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.
facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsapp
section

PRONUNCIATION OF DEVIOUS

devious  [ˈdiːvɪəs] play
facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsapp

GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF DEVIOUS

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Devious is an adjective.
The adjective is the word that accompanies the noun to determine or qualify it.

WHAT DOES DEVIOUS MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of devious in the English dictionary

The first definition of devious in the dictionary is not sincere or candid; deceitful; underhand. Other definition of devious is rambling; indirect; roundabout. Devious is also going astray from a proper or accepted way; erring.


WORDS THAT RHYME WITH DEVIOUS


bivious
ˈbɪvɪəs
Clavius
ˈkleɪvɪəs
envious
ˈɛnvɪəs
impervious
ɪmˈpɜːvɪəs
invious
ˈɪnvɪəs
lascivious
ləˈsɪvɪəs
lixivious
lɪkˈsɪvɪəs
multivious
mʌlˈtɪvɪəs
niveous
ˈnɪvɪəs
nonobvious
ˌnɒnˈɒbvɪəs
oblivious
əˈblɪvɪəs
obvious
ˈɒbvɪəs
overobvious
ˌəʊvərˈɒbvɪəs
pervious
ˈpɜːvɪəs
pluvious
ˈpluːvɪəs
previous
ˈpriːvɪəs
unenvious
ʌnˈenvɪəs
unobvious
ʌnˈɒbvɪəs
uveous
ˈjuːvɪəs
Vesuvius
vɪˈsuːvɪəs

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE DEVIOUS

devilling
devilment
devilries
devilry
devils-on-horseback
devilship
deviltries
deviltry
devilwood
Devine
deviously
deviousness
devisable
devisal
devise
devisee
deviser
devisor
devitalisation
devitalise

WORDS THAT END LIKE DEVIOUS

ambitious
anxious
conscious
curious
delicious
furious
glorious
hilarious
infectious
luxurious
mysterious
notorious
precious
prestigious
religious
serious
spacious
suspicious
various
vicious

Synonyms and antonyms of devious in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

SYNONYMS OF «DEVIOUS»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «devious» and belong to the same grammatical category.
synonyms of devious

Translation of «devious» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF DEVIOUS

Find out the translation of devious to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of devious from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «devious» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

狡诈的
1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

taimado
570 millions of speakers

English

devious
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

कुटिल
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

الملتوية
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

коварный
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

desleal
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

আঁকাবাঁকা
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

retors
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

licik
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

verschlagen
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

ひねくれた
130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

기만적인
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Nyasar
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

quanh co
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

நேரற்றதாகவோ
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

वळणावळणाचा
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

dolambaçlı
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

subdolo
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

przebiegły
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

підступний
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

nesincer
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

δόλια
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

onderduims
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

försåt
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

underfundig
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of devious

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «DEVIOUS»

The term «devious» is very widely used and occupies the 20.485 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Very widely used
91
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «devious» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of devious
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «devious».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «DEVIOUS» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «devious» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «devious» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about devious

EXAMPLES

9 QUOTES WITH «DEVIOUS»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word devious.
1
Brian Eno
When our governments want to sell us a course of action, they do it by making sure it's the only thing on the agenda, the only thing everyone's talking about. And they pre-load the ensuing discussion with highly selected images, devious and prejudicial language, dubious linkages, weak or false 'intelligence' and selected 'leaks.'
2
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Wolves and women are relational by nature, inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength. They are deeply intuitive, intensely concerned with their young, their mate and their pack. Yet both have been hounded, harassed and falsely imputed to be devouring and devious, overly aggressive, of less value than those who are their detractors.
3
Mark Haddon
I really like the idea of being a bit unpredictable. I'm known for being a nice, easy-going person with a straightforward exterior. So I think a bit of me wants to be sort of sly and devious.
4
Emraan Hashmi
With my physicality and my face, I don't think I could pull off a completely righteous guy. There's something devious about my eyes. I like characters with flaws and to see how they overcome those flaws. I want to play real people, and they're flawed, not perfect.
5
Robin Marantz Henig
Lies can be verbal or nonverbal, kindhearted or self-serving, devious or bald-faced; they can be lies of omission or lies of commission; they can be lies that undermine national security or lies that make a child feel better. And each type might involve a unique neural pathway.
6
Paul Mellon
Within 18 months of my parents' marriage in 1900, my mother fell in love with an Englishman who would have described himself as a gentleman but who was, in fact, nothing more than a devious adventurer.
7
Lord Mountbatten
Churchill was the canny political animal, very devious, bursting with energy and determination, learning as hard as he could.
8
Tansy Rayner Roberts
What do I want in a good fantasy book? Court politics and social interactions based around houses and cities. Powerful women and devious men. Drama and action with emotional ramifications. Frocks. Kissing. Swords. An intense impression of history in the world-building.
9
Malcolm Wilson
It's like someone cutting up a loved one in front of you, all the time insisting they've got your best interests at heart. They're very devious nowadays.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «DEVIOUS»

Discover the use of devious in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to devious and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Straight and Devious Pathways from Childhood to Adulthood
Who recovers, and who goes on to become a schizophrenic, a criminal, or an alcoholic? This book presents the findings from major longitudinal studies in psychopathology, extending from childhood into adulthood.
Lee N. Robins, Michael Rutter, 1992
2
Devious
"Terrifying. . .A Creepy Thriller." ?Publishers WeeklyLibrary JournalThe Providence Journal.
Lisa Jackson, 2012
3
Devious Deductions: Over 125 Challenging Logic Puzzles
In spite of the fact that logic puzzles are based on words and ideas, there is an amazing variety to be found. There are fascinating number puzzles, too.
David Popey, 2006
4
The Devious Book for Cats: A Parody
The Devious Book for Cats offers today’s discerning kitties words of wisdom and advice on everything they need to know, from in-depth guides on cardboard boxes and catnip to a brief history of the Felinism movement.
Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls, 2008
5
A Devious Desire (Mills & Boon Vintage 90s Modern)
If she could push him so near the edge that he would agree to marry her... she could at last have sweet revenge! "Emotionally power-packed... . Jacqueline Baird burns up the pages." - Romantic Times
Jacqueline Baird, 2012
6
Superman Vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious ...
Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend--and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved.
Jake Rossen, 2008
7
Devious Chess: How to Bend the Rules and Win
Master chess psychologist Amatzia Avni outlines a new approach to playing chess – be tricksy about your game, bend the rules where possible and always come out on top!
Amatzia Avni, 2006
8
The Devious Route
Reading these poems by Helen Kanevsky makes me think of the power of words - the power to evoke, the power to lead the mind through new avenues of hitherto unknown realities.
Helen Kanevsky, 2012
9
It Girl #9: Devious
The ninth engrossing novel in the #1 bestselling It Girl series.
Cecily von Ziegesar, 2009
10
Devious: An It Girl Novel
Jenny Humphrey could have lost everything she'd worked so hard for when the reality show her adoring freshman fans were filming backfired on her in the most publicly humiliating way...but it meant she found out who her friends were - maybe ...
Cecily von Ziegesar, 2012

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «DEVIOUS»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term devious is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Courteney Cox, 'Devious Maids' Star Roselyn Sanchez Join Indie …
Courteney Cox and “Devious Maids” star Roselyn Sanchez have joined the cast of Paul Duddridge's indie drama “Mothers Day,” it was ... «TheWrap, Jul 15»
2
'Devious' fraudster fleeced dementia suffering aunt out of £250,000 …
An 83-year-old dementia sufferer was fleeced out of £250,000 by a "devious" nephew, who left her too poor to even buy a cup of coffee. «Leicester Mercury, Jul 15»
3
Ratings: "UnREAL" Slips This Week, "Devious Maids" Down in Demo
Lifetime's recently renewed "UnREAL" suffers a loss in adults 18-49; "Devious Maids" also slips in the demo. Lifetime's “UnREAL,” which has ... «HeadlinePlanet.com, Jul 15»
4
'Devious Maids' Season 3 Episode 6 spoilers: Rosie decides on love …
The housekeepers will face different struggles of their own in the newest episode of "Devious Maids." Viewers can expect more scandals from ... «ChristianToday, Jul 15»
5
Are the Chinese as devious as Rudd said? | Business Spectator
In spite of Rudd's colourful description, the Chinese Government isn't nearly as devious as premiers Mike Rann and Jay Weatherill. «Business Spectator, Jul 15»
6
Devious Fareham woman stole £120k from smitten suitor
... to both theft and fraud at Portsmouth Crown Court. Her actions were branded 'devious, cunning and persistent' by Judge Linda Sullivan QC. «Portsmouth News, Jul 15»
7
Malicious and devious uses of web robots
There are welding robots, swimming robots, flying robots, dancing robots and yes lying ones too. It is the truth! Robots are used for repetitive ... «Trinidad Guardian, Jul 15»
8
Love triangle ... Dania Ramirez is enjoying plenty of attention this …
WHEN it comes to their relationship status on hit US soap Devious Maids, suffice to say Grant Show's Spence Westmore and Dania Ramirez's ... «NEWS.com.au, Jul 15»
9
'Devious Maids' season 3 episode 6 spoilers: Is Taylor dead? Rosie …
"Devious Maids" is getting even more dramatic as season three progresses. In the last episode, viewers of the hit Lifetime show learnt why ... «Ecumenical News, Jul 15»
10
'Devious Maids' season 3 spoilers: Ruthless Evelyn shows …
According to actress Rebecca Wisocky, her character will somehow show her tamer persona in the next episode of "Devious Maids" season 3. «ChristianToday, Jul 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Devious [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/devious>. Apr 2024 ».
Download the educalingo app
en
English dictionary
Discover all that is hidden in the words on
index
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z