deceptive
/dɪˈseptɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈseptɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈsep-tiv/ (ame, mw)
deceptive — adjective
- deceptivepositive
- more deceptivecomparative
- most deceptivesuperlative
1. looking or sounding like one thing when the truth is different, so people get a
looking or sounding like one thing when the truth is different, so people get a false idea of what is real.
The calm sea looked safe, but the gentle waves were deceptive and pulled Aoi out into deeper water.
predicative position: be + deceptive contrasting appearance with reality
Romi warned the tourists that the photo of the hotel pool was deceptive — the real pool was much smaller.
be + deceptive with a concrete object (photo) as subject
Christopher used deceptive packaging to make the small chocolate bar look twice its actual size.
Eitan's friendly smile turned out to be deceptive once Dewi heard about his cheating in the exam.
The quiet street near the school is deceptive: cars often speed through it just after the lunch bell.
- misleading
very close in meaning; 'misleading' is more neutral and often used of information or statements rather than appearances.
- illusory
more formal; suggests the thing only seems to exist or be real, often used of hopes or success.
- false
broader and stronger; says the thing itself is not real, while 'deceptive' says it gives a wrong impression.
- genuine
the appearance matches the reality, with no hidden trick.
- straightforward
easy to understand correctly, with nothing hidden behind it.
文法句型
deceptive + noun
deceptively + adjective/verb
用法筆記
Often describes appearances, looks, sounds, photos, or surface impressions that hide a different reality. Subject is usually a noun like 'appearance', 'looks', 'calm', 'photo', 'simplicity', or the thing whose surface misleads.