What is the meaning of devious?

adjective

  • Indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading.
    • usage: "used devious means to achieve success"; "gave oblique answers to direct questions"; "oblique political maneuvers"
  • Characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive.
    • usage: "a devious character"; "shifty eyes"
  • Deviating from a straight course.
    • usage: "a scenic but devious route"; "a long and circuitous journey by train and boat"; "a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). devious. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/devious/definitions/1172346
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "devious" http://smartdefine.org/devious/definitions/1172346 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, devious, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/devious/definitions/1172346>.
MLAWordNet. "devious" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/devious/definitions/1172346>
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