What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lie
Example
He told a lie to cover up his mistake. [lie: noun]
Example
She lied to her parents about her whereabouts. [lied: past tense verb]
deceive
Example
He tried to deceive his boss by taking credit for someone else's work. [deceive: verb]
Example
The magician deceived the audience with his clever tricks. [deceived: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lie is more commonly used than deceive in everyday language. Lie is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deceive is less common and is typically used in more formal or serious situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lie and deceive?
Deceive is more formal and serious than lie. It is typically used in professional or legal contexts, while lie can be used in both formal and informal situations.
