What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fooling
Example
Stop fooling around and get back to work. [fooling: verb]
Example
The children were fooling each other with silly pranks. [fooling: gerund or present participle]
deceive
Example
He tried to deceive me by lying about his qualifications. [deceive: verb]
Example
The con artist was skilled at deceiving people out of their money. [deceiving: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deceive is more commonly used than fooling in everyday language. Deceive is a strong word that carries a negative connotation, while fooling is more lighthearted and playful.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fooling and deceive?
Deceive is a more formal word than fooling. It is often used in legal or business contexts, while fooling is more informal and used in casual conversations.
