noun
duplicity
doo-PLIH-sih-tee
Duplicity (noun) means Deliberate deceitfulness, especially by saying different things to different people. Example: “The negotiations collapsed once his duplicity was exposed.”
noun
1
Deliberate deceitfulness, especially by saying different things to different people.
"The negotiations collapsed once his duplicity was exposed."
"She was shocked by the sheer duplicity of her business partner."
How to use duplicity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDishonest, two-faced behaviour — pretending to be sincere while actually deceiving people.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
accuse someone of duplicity
expose duplicity
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like duplicity.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- duplicities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The negotiations collapsed once his _____ was exposed.
Etymology
From Latin duplicare, "to double," reflecting the idea of a person showing two contradictory faces.
Synonyms
View more →
fraudulence
double-dealing
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for duplicity
See all rhymes for duplicity →Frequently asked questions
What does “duplicity” mean?
The word “duplicity” means deliberate deceitfulness, especially by saying different things to different people. In plain terms, dishonest, two-faced behaviour — pretending to be sincere while actually deceiving people.
How do you pronounce “duplicity”?
“Duplicity” is pronounced doo-PLIH-sih-tee (/duˈplɪ.sɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “duplicity” in a sentence?
Here is “duplicity” used in a sentence: “The negotiations collapsed once his duplicity was exposed.”
What part of speech is “duplicity”?
“Duplicity” is a noun.
Where does the word “duplicity” come from?
The word “duplicity” comes from Latin. From Latin duplicare, "to double," reflecting the idea of a person showing two contradictory faces.
