two-faced

[too-feyst]

adjective

1. having two faces.

2. deceitful or hypocritical.

   Synonyms: false, dishonest, devious, treacherous

two-faced

/ -ˈfeɪst-, ˌtuːˈfeɪsɪdlɪ /

adjective

1. deceitful; insincere; hypocritical

Other Word Forms

• two-facedly adverb
• two-facedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of two-faced¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Because Western elites have allowed themselves to be duped by the Brotherhood’s two-faced strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump is a profoundly stupid man, but he is clever at being two-faced — a lifetime of practicing fraud will improve anyone's skills — so his strategy worked.

From Salon

According to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the oldest living two-faced calf survived for 40 days.

From Seattle Times

Her two-faced approach is an attempt to navigate her competing desires.

From Salon

The ancient Roman god Janus was two-faced, literally - with one looking forward and another backward, representing transitions and duality.

From Reuters