devious

adjective

de·​vi·​ous ˈdē-vē-əs How to pronounce devious (audio)
-vyəs
1
a
: wandering, roundabout
a devious path
b
: moving without a fixed course : errant
devious breezes
2
: out-of-the-way, remote
upon devious coasts
3
a
: deviating from a right, accepted, or common course
devious conduct
b
: not straightforward : cunning
a devious politician
also : deceptive
a devious trick
a devious plot
deviously adverb
deviousness noun

Did you know?

The "Lost" History of Devious

If you think someone devious has lost their way, you're right, etymologically speaking—the word derives from the Latin adjective devius, itself formed from the prefix de- ("from" or "away") and the noun via ("way"). When devious was first used in the 16th century, it implied a literal wandering off the way, suggesting something that meandered or had no fixed course (as in "a devious route" or "devious breezes"). Relatively quickly, however, the word came to describe someone or something that had left the right path metaphorically rather than literally, or to describe deceitful rather than straightforward behavior.

Examples of devious in a Sentence

a dishonest and devious politician He took us by a devious route to the center of the city.
Recent Examples on the Web Stone is delightfully devious as a punk rock designer who embraces her wicked side. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile Matilda is devious, ruthless and bloodier than even her male opponents after being raised in the Flemish royal court. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 But soon after arriving, they get sucked into a devious assassination plot and attempt to uncover the killer. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Associated Press General Motors' troubled robotaxi service Cruise on Feb. 6 endured a public lashing from a California judge who compared the company to the devious TV character Eddie Haskell for its behavior following a ghastly collision that wrecked its ambitious expansion plans. Michael Liedtke, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2024 After being asked by his stepdaughter Molly (Caitlin McGee) to investigate the mysterious death of her fiancé, Monk uncovered a devious plot that reunited him with his former colleagues. Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Black Panther) becomes the center of otherworldly intrigue as he’s forced to protect his people from the devious Eric Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 21 Jan. 2024 The trailer includes glimpses of the West Side Story Oscar winner at her most devious, nonchalantly threatening to fail her students and maintaining innocence as rumors of her murderousness spread. Ben and Tanner, meanwhile, seem to realize how out of hand their practical joke becomes. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 When Easy, a handsome vagabond stranger, appears, the son hatches a plan to replace the father with a new husband, only for that to backfire and a more devious and disastrous scheme to emerge. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'devious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin devius, from de from + via way — more at de-, way

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of devious was in 1599

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Dictionary Entries Near devious

Cite this Entry

“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

devious

adjective
de·​vi·​ous ˈdē-vē-əs How to pronounce devious (audio)
1
: straying from a straight course : roundabout
the devious trail that wound along the creek
leading through devious mazes
2
: sneaky, deceptive
a devious plan
got it by devious means
deviously adverb
deviousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on devious

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