DEVIOUS

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does devious mean? 

• DEVIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective DEVIOUS has 3 senses:

1. indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading

2. characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive

3. deviating from a straight course

  Familiarity information: DEVIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEVIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading

Synonyms:

devious; oblique

Context example:

oblique political maneuvers

Similar:

indirect (extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action)

Derivation:

deviousness (the quality of being deceitful and underhanded)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive

Synonyms:

devious; shifty

Context example:

shifty eyes

Similar:

untrustworthy; untrusty (not worthy of trust or belief)

Derivation:

deviousness (the quality of being deceitful and underhanded)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Deviating from a straight course

Synonyms:

circuitous; devious; roundabout

Context example:

a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic

Similar:

indirect (not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination)

Derivation:

deviousness (the quality of being oblique and rambling indirectly)

 Context examples 

We passed along the low-roofed, devious corridors of the old-fashioned inn to the back of the house.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I sought the Continent, and went devious through all its lands.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)