Deceit
dɪˈsiːt
Definitions
The act or practice of concealing the truth in order to trick or mislead.
dɪˈsiːt
The act or practice of deceiving; the quality of being deceitful.
His skillful deceit allowed him to win the competition.
💡 Simply: Deceit is when someone tries to trick you by not telling the truth. Like when a magician uses tricks to make you believe something that's not real.
👶 For kids: When someone is being sneaky and trying to trick you.
More Examples
She was disgusted by the deceit and betrayal of her friend.
The novel is filled with plots and counter-plots, showcasing deceit and manipulation.
How It's Used
"The company was found guilty of deceit in their advertising practices."
"The play explores the themes of love, ambition, and deceit."
Idioms & expressions
web of deceit
A complex and interconnected series of lies or dishonest actions.
"The investigation uncovered a web of deceit that led to the mayor's downfall."
a pack of lies and deceit
A group of people using deceptive language.
"His argument was built on a pack of lies and deceit."
From Old French deceit, from deceivre ('to deceive'), from Latin decipere ('to deceive').
The word 'deceit' has been used in English since the 13th century, often appearing in literature to describe malicious trickery and schemes.
Memory tip
Think of 'deceit' as a hidden 'seat' of lies.
Word Origin
"to deceive, to ensnare"