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 …

DEVIOUS definition: 1. Devious people or plans and methods are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but often also…. Learn more.

DEVIOUS definition: departing from the most direct way; circuitous; indirect. See examples of devious used in a sentence.

Definition of devious adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and 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 …

Apr 10, 2026 · devious (comparative more devious, superlative most devious) Cunning or deceiving, not straightforward or honest, not frank.

devious, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary