devil
Looking for the meaning of devil? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
Advertisement
Placeholder for content ad unit
An evil creature.
(with article) The chief devil; Satan.
A fictional image of a man, usually red or orange in skin color; with a set of horns on his head, a pointed goatee and a long tail and carrying a pitchfork; that represents evil and portrayed to children in an effort to discourage bad behavior.
The bad part of the conscience; the opposite to the angel.
“The devil in me wants to let him suffer.”
A wicked or naughty person, or one who harbors reckless, spirited energy, especially in a mischievous way; usually said of a young child.
“Those two kids are devils in a toy store.”
A thing that is awkward or difficult to understand or do.
“That math problem was a devil.”
(with an article, as an intensifier) Hell.
“She is having a devil of a time fixing it.”
A person, especially a man; used to express a particular opinion of him, usually in the phrases poor devil and lucky devil.
A dust devil.
(Christian Science) An evil or erring entity.
(in compounds) A barren, unproductive and unused area.
“devil strip”
A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton, etc.
A Tasmanian devil.
An endurance event where riders who fall behind are periodically eliminated.
To make like a devil; to invest with the character of a devil.
To annoy or bother.
To work as a ‘devil’; to work for a lawyer or writer without fee or recognition.
To prepare (food) with spices, making it spicy:
Understanding "devil"
The word **"devil"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈdɛvəl/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"devil"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "devil" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "devil" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "devil" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈdɛvəl/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "devil" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "devil" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "devil" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "devil". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈdɛvəl/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "devil" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
Dictionary Helper
How do I use devil in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "devil" can be used in academic and casual conversations.