What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deceive
Example
He tried to deceive me by telling me he was a doctor. [deceive: verb]
Example
The company deceived its customers by advertising a product that did not work as promised. [deceived: past tense]
fool
Example
He fooled me into thinking he was a magician by performing a magic trick. [fooled: past tense]
Example
Don't be a fool and fall for his lies. [fool: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deceive is a more formal and less common word than fool. Deceive is typically used in serious or professional contexts, while fool is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deceive and fool?
Deceive is a more formal word than fool and is typically used in serious or professional contexts. Fool is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
