deceptive
gb/dɪsˈɛptɪv/ us/dɪsˈɛptɪv/
B2
English
csalóka, megtévesztő, hazug, kétszínű, félrevezető
B2
1
csalóka
B2
megtévesztő
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is deceptive
The map is deceptive—it makes the walk look much shorter than it is.
A térkép csalóka: sokkal rövidebbnek mutatja az utat, mint amilyen valójában.
His friendly smile was deceptive and hid his irritation.
A barátságos mosolya csalóka volt, és elfedte az ingerültségét.
The room looks bright, but the lighting is deceptive in photos.
Learner examples
The label is deceptive.
A címke megtévesztő.
The results are deceptive.
Az eredmények csalókák.
Common mistake:
Learners often use deceptive for people; it is very common for things (appearance, results, impressions) too.
Meaning
giving a false impression
Collocations
deceptive appearance
|deceptive image
|deceptive impression
|deceptive smile
|deceptive calm
|deceptive packaging
|deceptive simplicity
|deceptive clarity
|deceptive surface
|deceptive picture
Synonyms
misleading (More common and neutral; focuses on causing the wrong belief.)
|
false (Stronger and more direct; can suggest simply untrue rather than tricking.)
|
deceptive-looking (Used specifically about appearance.)
Antonyms
accurate (Gives a correct impression of reality.)
|
straightforward (Easy to understand; not likely to mislead.)
|
clear (Not confusing or misleading in effect.)
Themes
communication
|daily_life
Definition
making you think something is true when it is not
Likely to make someone believe something that is not true because it gives a wrong or incomplete impression.
C1
2
megtévesztő
B2
Usage pattern:
deceptive [tactics/practices/claims/advertising]
The company was fined for deceptive advertising.
A céget megtévesztő reklámozás miatt megbírságolták.
He used deceptive tactics to get access to private data.
Megtévesztő taktikákat alkalmazott, hogy hozzáférjen a személyes adatokhoz.
The email looked official, but it was a deceptive attempt to steal passwords.
Learner examples
That ad is deceptive.
Az a reklám megtévesztő.
They used deceptive tactics.
Megtévesztő taktikákat alkalmaztak.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'deceiving' (participle). 'Deceptive' describes a thing or action as having a misleading effect or purpose.
Meaning
intended to trick others
Collocations
deceptive tactics
|deceptive practices
|deceptive behavior
|deceptive claims
|deceptive advertising
|deceptive marketing
|deceptive message
|deceptive scheme
|deceptive email
|deceptive contract terms
Synonyms
deceitful (Often used for people, but can also describe actions; very close in meaning.)
|
fraudulent (Stronger; suggests illegality or formal fraud.)
|
dishonest (Broader moral judgment; not limited to tricking.)
Antonyms
truthful (Intended to communicate what is true.)
|
honest (Not designed to trick or cheat.)
|
transparent (Open and easy to understand; not hiding key facts.)
Themes
business
|law
|communication
Definition
made to trick people on purpose
Made or done in order to make people believe something untrue, especially for advantage.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a deceptive [person/man/woman/partner/politician]
I realized he was deceptive when his story kept changing.
Rájöttem, hogy hazug, amikor a története folyton változott.
She can be charming, but she’s also deceptive and hard to trust.
Lehet bájos, de kétszínű is, és nehéz benne megbízni.
He seemed open at first, but his deceptive answers raised suspicion.
Learner examples
He is deceptive.
Ő hazug.
I don’t trust deceptive people.
Nem bízom a hazug emberekben.
Common mistake:
In everyday English, 'deceitful' is slightly more common than 'deceptive' for describing a person.
Meaning
dishonest and untrustworthy
Collocations
deceptive person
|deceptive partner
|deceptive politician
|deceptive salesman
|deceptive witness
|deceptive character
|deceptive colleague
|deceptive behavior
|deceptive manner
|deceptive nature
Synonyms
deceitful (The most direct synonym for a person who lies or tricks.)
|
duplicitous (More formal; suggests pretending while hiding different intentions.)
|
two-faced (Informal; emphasizes seeming friendly while acting against someone.)
Antonyms
trustworthy (Can be relied on to tell the truth.)
|
honest (Does not lie or mislead.)
|
sincere (Not pretending; genuine in feelings or intentions.)
Themes
people
|relationships
|ethics
Definition
not honest; trying to trick people
Not honest; likely to lie or hide the truth in order to get what you want.
C1
4
félrevezető
B2
megtévesztő
B2
Usage pattern:
deceptive [statistics/figures/results/symptoms]
The average is deceptive because a few extremely high salaries raise it.
Az átlag félrevezető, mert néhány rendkívül magas fizetés felfelé torzítja az értékét.
Early test results can be deceptive and should be confirmed later.
A korai teszteredmények félrevezetők lehetnek, ezért később meg kell erősíteni őket.
The symptoms were deceptive and pointed to the wrong diagnosis at first.
Learner examples
These numbers are deceptive.
Ezek a számok félrevezetők.
The results can be deceptive.
Az eredmények félrevezetők lehetnek.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'wrong' or 'false'; 'deceptive' highlights the risk of drawing the wrong conclusion.
Meaning
not reliable as evidence
Collocations
deceptive statistics
|deceptive figures
|deceptive numbers
|deceptive results
|deceptive data
|deceptive test results
|deceptive symptoms
|deceptive evidence
|deceptive signs
|deceptive averages
Synonyms
unreliable (Focuses on not being dependable, not necessarily on causing a false impression.)
|
misleading (Very close; common when describing information or evidence.)
|
unrepresentative (Often used for data that does not reflect the real whole.)
Antonyms
reliable (Can be trusted to be correct.)
|
representative (Accurately reflects the larger situation or group.)
|
informative (Helps you understand the true situation.)
Themes
education
|science
|business
Definition
making you understand the facts wrongly
Not giving a true picture of a situation, especially when used as information, a sign, or a measurement.
C1
5
megtévesztő
B2
Usage pattern:
a deceptive [move/pass/pitch/serve]
Her deceptive serve looked slow but kicked up sharply at the last moment.
Az adogatása megtévesztő volt: lassúnak tűnt, de az utolsó pillanatban hirtelen felpattant.
The striker made a deceptive run that pulled the defenders out of position.
A csatár egy megtévesztő beindulással kimozgatta a védőket a helyükről.
He’s a deceptive player—his body language often sends opponents the wrong way.
Learner examples
He made a deceptive move.
Megtévesztő mozdulatot tett.
Her serve is deceptive.
Az adogatása megtévesztő.
Common mistake:
In sports contexts, 'deceptive' can be positive (skillful), not only negative (dishonest).
Meaning
skillfully hard to read
Collocations
deceptive move
|deceptive pass
|deceptive shot
|deceptive serve
|deceptive pitch
|deceptive footwork
|deceptive feint
|deceptive rhythm
|deceptive player
|deceptive magician
Synonyms
tricky (More informal; can mean cleverly difficult or misleading.)
|
cunning (Emphasizes clever strategy; can sound morally negative.)
|
sly (Suggests cleverness with a hint of dishonesty.)
Antonyms
obvious (Easy to see or predict.)
|
readable (Easy for an opponent to anticipate (sports).)
|
predictable (Easy to guess in advance.)
Themes
sports
|games
|performance
Definition
good at making others guess wrong
Difficult to judge or anticipate because it is designed or able to mislead, especially in sports, games, or performance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deceptive
IPA
GB/dɪsˈɛptɪv/
US/dɪsˈɛptɪv/
Syllables & stress
de - cept - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cept)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: deceptive
Word family
Expressions
deceptive advertising
1/dɪsˈɛptɪv ˈædvɚtˌaɪzɪŋ/
fixed phrase
business
ads that mislead people
advertising that tricks people
Examples
- The brand faced complaints over deceptive advertising.
- Regulators investigated the company for deceptive advertising practices.
- She said the before-and-after photos were deceptive advertising.
Learner examples
- Deceptive advertising can be illegal.
deceptive trade practices
1/dɪsˈɛptɪv tɹˈeɪd pɹˈæktɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
legal
misleading business practices
business actions that trick customers
Examples
- The lawsuit alleges deceptive trade practices.
- The agency issued new rules to prevent deceptive trade practices.
- Customers accused the retailer of deceptive trade practices related to hidden fees.
deceptively easy
1/dɪsˈɛptɪvli ˈizi/
fixed phrase
seems easy but isn’t
it looks easy, but it is harder than you think
Examples
- The first level is deceptively easy, but it gets hard very quickly.
- The exam looked deceptively easy until I started the last section.
- Her warm-up routine is deceptively easy and demands a lot of control.
Learner examples
- This exercise is deceptively easy.
deceptively quiet
1/dɪsˈɛptɪvli kwˈaɪət/
fixed phrase
seems calm but isn’t
it looks quiet, but there is more going on
Examples
- The office was deceptively quiet before the deadline hit.
- The sea looked deceptively quiet, but the current was strong.
- He’s deceptively quiet—he notices everything.
Learner examples
- The street is deceptively quiet.
deceptively simple
1/dɪsˈɛptɪvli sˈɪmpəl/
fixed phrase
seems simple but isn’t
it looks easy, but it is difficult
Examples
- The instructions are deceptively simple, but the project takes hours.
- It’s a deceptively simple question that has no easy answer.
- The app has a deceptively simple design with many powerful features.
Learner examples
- The job is deceptively simple.