devious in English
- devious⇄adv. deviously.
- devious⇄devious, adjective.
1. out of the direct way; winding; twisting; roundabout.
Ex. We took a devious route through side streets and alleys to avoid the crowded main streets.
(SYN) circuitous, tortuous, rambling.
2. (Figurative.) st - devious⇄noun deviousness.
devious in Sindhi سنڌي
devious in Telugu తెలుగు
Devious
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈdiː.vi.əs/
Definitions
- Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
- (Of a route or journey) Longer and less direct than the most straightforward way.
Usage Examples
- She had a devious plan to outmaneuver her opponents.
- The path to the mountain summit was devious and difficult to follow.
- His devious behavior made it difficult to trust him.
Etymology
From Latin devius (‘out of the way, remote’), from de- (‘off, away’) + via (‘way, road’).
Synonyms
- Sneaky
- Underhanded
- Cunning
- Wily
- Dishonest
- Indirect
Antonyms
- Honest
- Straightforward
- Direct
- Sincere
- Trustworthy
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Desviado / Astuto | /desˈbjaðo/ |
| French | Déviant / Sournois | /de.vjɑ̃/ |
| German | Hinterlistig / Umwegig | /ˈhɪntɐˌlɪstɪç/ |
| Italian | Subdolo / Torto | /ˈsub.do.lo/ |
| Portuguese | Astuto / Desviando | /asˈtutu/ |
| Chinese | 狡猾 (Jiǎohuá) | /tɕi̯ɑʊ̯xwa/ |
| Russian | Хитрый (Khitrïy) | /ˈxʲitrɨj/ |
| Arabic | مخادع (Mukhadīʿ) | /mu.xaː.diʕ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In American English, the "v" sound in "devious" is more pronounced, whereas in some British accents, it may sound softer.
Historical Usage
The word "devious" was originally used to describe winding paths and indirect routes before taking on its modern connotation of dishonesty.
Cultural Nuances
While "devious" has a negative connotation in many cultures, in some contexts, it can imply cleverness or strategic thinking rather than outright dishonesty.
More Information
In literature and media, devious characters are often portrayed as masterminds or tricksters, using their intelligence to manipulate situations to their advantage.