Definition of devious adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
DEVIOUS definition: departing from the most direct way; circuitous; indirect. See examples of devious used in a sentence.
DEVIOUS definition: 1. Devious people or plans and methods are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but often also…. Learn more.
Define devious. devious synonyms, devious pronunciation, devious translation, English dictionary definition of devious. adj. 1. Not straightforward; shifty: a devious character. 2. Departing from the correct or accepted way; erring: achieved success by devious means.
devious (comparative more devious, superlative most devious) Cunning or deceiving, not straightforward or honest, not frank. (literal, archaic) Roundabout, circuitous, deviating from the direct or ordinary route.
What is the etymology of the adjective devious? devious is a borrowing from Latin, combined with an English element. Etymons: Latin dēvius, ‑ous suffix.
Devious definition: Not straightforward; shifty. Origin of Devious From Latin dēvius out-of-the-way dē- de- via road wegh- in Indo-European roots From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition