Deceptive means designed to mislead or trick someone into believing something that isn't true. A deceptive statement might sound honest but contains lies or leaves out important facts. A deceptive person acts friendly while secretly planning something harmful.

What makes something deceptive is the intention to fool others. A magic trick delights because everyone knows it's just an illusion, but a deceptive excuse tries to make people believe a falsehood. When a student gives a deceptive reason for missing homework, they're deliberately creating a false impression to avoid consequences.

The word often describes things that appear one way but are actually another. Deceptive packaging might make a product look bigger than it really is. A movie trailer can be deceptive if it shows all the exciting scenes but the actual film turns out boring. In sports, a runner might use deceptive footwork, faking one direction before darting another way, though in competition this kind of deception is perfectly legal and even admired.

The related noun is deception, meaning the act of deceiving. While small deceptions might seem harmless, a pattern of deceptive behavior destroys trust. People stop believing someone who's been deceptive, even when that person finally tells the truth.