devious

IPA/ˈdiːviəs/
KK[dˈiviəs]IPA/ˈdiːviəs/

devious — adjective

  • deviouspositive
  • more deviouscomparative
  • most devioussuperlative

1. A devious person, plan, or method is dishonest in a clever and carefully calcula

1.形容詞B2
釋義

A devious person, plan, or method is dishonest in a clever and carefully calculated way, especially in order to gain an advantage over others.

例句

Soraya devised a devious plan to take over her manager's position while he was away.

collocation: devious plan

The company's devious accounting methods hid millions in profits from tax officials.

collocation: devious methods

同義詞
  • cunning

    similar level of clever dishonesty, but can be used admiringly

  • underhand

    focuses more on secrecy and hiding true intentions

  • sly

    suggests sneakiness and quiet manipulation rather than bold scheming

反義詞
  • honest

    direct opposite — truthful and straightforward

  • straightforward

    open and direct, without hidden motives

文法句型

devious + noun

be + devious

用法筆記

Subject is most often a plan, method, scheme, or organization rather than a person — 'a devious plan' is far more common than 'a devious person.' The dishonesty is always premeditated and calculated, never spontaneous.

常見錯誤

❌He was devious when he said he was busy.
✅He was lying when he said he was busy.
💡devious implies clever, calculated dishonesty, not a simple lie.
❌The cunning fox was devious.
✅The cunning fox tricked the farmer.
💡cunning can be admiring or neutral; devious is always negative.

2. A devious route, path, or course is not straight and changes direction many time

2.形容詞B2
釋義

A devious route, path, or course is not straight and changes direction many times, often in an inconvenient or confusing way.

例句

Yuna followed a devious path through the forest that twisted around ancient oak trees.

collocation: devious path

The river takes a devious course through the mountains, bending around every hillside.

collocation: devious course

同義詞
  • winding

    neutral description of curves, without negative tone

  • circuitous

    more formal, emphasises the added distance or time

  • crooked

    more informal, suggests irregular or twisted shape

反義詞
  • direct

    straight, without turns or detours

  • straight

    not curving or bending

文法句型

devious + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from Sense 1 (DISHONEST AND CUNNING): this sense describes only physical routes, paths, and courses — never people, plans, or behaviour. It also carries a mild suggestion that the winding path is inconvenient or puzzling, unlike neutral words like 'winding' or 'curving.'

常見錯誤

❌His career followed a devious path.
✅His career followed an unconventional path.
💡Sense 2 only applies to physical routes, not metaphorical ones.
❌We took a devious road through the countryside.
✅We took a winding road through the countryside.
💡use 'winding' for neutral description; 'devious' adds a sense of inconvenience and is less natural.