English vocabulary · C2
Duplicitous
/duːˈplɪs.ə.təs/ · adj.
A duplicitous person acts like a friend but hides a plan to cheat you. You trust the friendly face and fail to see the hidden lie.
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Example sentences
- A duplicitous thief offered help.
- I caught my duplicitous friend lying.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- du — two (from Latin)
- plic — fold (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- DECEITFUL — tries to fool you (Tricks You)
- FALSE — not true or sincere (Not Sincere)
- SLY — hides a clever plan (Hidden Plans)
Words with the same root
plic — fold
- duplicate — make a copy
- complicate — make harder to do
- implicate — show involvement in wrongdoing
Lesson notes
A duplicitous person acts like a friend but hides a plan to cheat you. You trust the friendly face and fail to see the hidden lie.
Related: deceitful, false, sly. Use duplicitous when trust hides a lie.
A duplicitous thief offered help. I caught my duplicitous friend lying.
From Latin. Du- means two. Plic- means fold. Fold it in two; a duplicitous thief smiles.