Basic Details
Word: Treacherous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not to be trusted, likely to betray someone; also very dangerous, especially when the danger is hidden, as on a slippery road.
Synonyms: disloyal, dangerous, hazardous
Antonyms: loyal, safe
Word origin: From Old French trecheros, from trechier, to cheat.
How to Spell Treacherous
Syllables: treach - er - ous
Tricky part: The ea sounds like the short e of bed, so it is often written as e alone (trecherous). The weak middle er is also dropped (treachrous).
Watch out for: trecherous, treachrous, treacherus
Memory tip: Think of a treacherous tide on the beach: tr + each. The ea from beach stays in, then -er, then -ous.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The road to Spiti becomes treacherous after the first snowfall.
Example 2: In the story, a treacherous minister opened the fort gates to the enemy.
Example 3: Wet marble steps can be treacherous, so the temple puts down mats.
Fun Fact
The everyday word trick probably comes from a northern French form of the same old verb, trichier, to cheat.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
tr_ach_rous
a) i, e
b) e, a
c) e, e
d) a, e
Show answer
c) e, e. The word begins like treasure, with tre, and the weak middle sound is the er of treachery.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word treacherous as used in the sentence:
The mountain path becomes treacherous after heavy rain.
a) dangerous
b) risky
c) safe
d) slippery
Show answer
c) safe. Dangerous, risky and slippery all say the same as treacherous; a safe path is the reverse.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The rtcaehsuroe guard opened the gate to the enemy at midnight.
a) treacherous
b) thunderous
c) generous
d) courteous
Show answer
a) treacherous. Only treacherous has both the ch and the ea; thunderous lacks a c, courteous an h, and generous both.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A treacherous friend is one who ____.
a) keeps every secret
b) visits every Sunday
c) betrays your trust
d) helps with homework
Show answer
c) betrays your trust
2. Which weather would make a sea voyage treacherous?
a) a calm moonlit night
b) a light breeze
c) a violent storm
d) a clear blue sky
Show answer
c) a violent storm
