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The Daily Insight

What does it mean to be a devious person?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on April 30, 2026

adjective. If you describe someone as devious you do not like them because you think they are dishonest and like to keep things secret, often in a complicated way.

What is a devious person like?

The definition of devious is someone or something that is not straightforward or deviates from the usual course of action. An example of someone who would be described as devious is a person who lies to get his way. Not straightforward; shifty.

What is the synonym of devious?

calculating, deceitful, duplicitous, fraudulent, insidious, insincere, shrewd, sly, sneaky, underhanded, wily, circuitous, misleading, artful, crooked, double-dealing, errant, erring, evasive, fishy.

What does the term vestigial mean?

1 of a body part or organ : remaining in a form that is small or imperfectly developed and not able to function : being or having the form of a vestige (see vestige sense 2) a vestigial tail Kiwis lack an external tail, and their vestigial wings are entirely hidden beneath a curious plumage—shaggy, more like fur than …

What does deviously mean?

adjective. not sincere or candid; deceitful; underhand. (of a route or course of action) rambling; indirect; roundabout. going astray from a proper or accepted way; erring.

What does devious woman mean?

adj. 1 not sincere or candid; deceitful; underhand. 2 (of a route or course of action) rambling; indirect; roundabout.

Why are wisdom teeth vestigial?

Wisdom teeth are considered a vestigial organ — no longer useful — because our diet has evolved. Early humans ate a mostly raw diet of foraged plants and hunted animals, which required a lot of rough chewing. That wore down their teeth.

Is deviously a word?

1. Not straightforward; shifty: a devious character. 2. Departing from the correct or accepted way; erring: achieved success by devious means.

How do you explain devious to a child?

definition: not open or honest. Cheating is a devious way to win.

What is the meaning of deviously in English?

“deviously” in English. deviously adverb. uk ​ /ˈdiː.vi.ə us ​ /ˈdiː.vi.ə › in a way that is dishonest or tricks people, but is often also clever and successful:

What is the meaning of devious conduct?

1a : wandering, roundabout a devious path. b : moving without a fixed course : errant devious breezes. 2 : out-of-the-way, remote upon devious coasts. 3a : deviating from a right, accepted, or common course devious conduct.

What is the root word of devious?

Deviating from the straight or direct course; roundabout: a devious route. Away from a main road or course; distant or removed. [From Latin dēvius, out-of-the-way : dē-, de- + via, road; see wegh- in Indo-European roots .] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

What is a devious route?

3. Deviating from the straight or direct course; roundabout: a devious route. 4. Away from a main road or course; distant or removed.