|
Although deceptively simple almost invariably means "complex despite apparent simplicity," that is not a model from which to generalize about the meaning of deceptively. When people are asked whether, for example, a deceptively dangerous place to stand is a place that is more or less dangerous than it appears, they respond variously, with a substantial minority admitting they have no idea what deceptively is intended to convey. Sometimes context clarifies the meaning: It was a small house, but it had deceptively large rooms. Unless the context makes the meaning clear, deceptively is best avoided.
|