devil
The children dressed as ghosts and devils for Halloween.
The children wore costumes representing scary supernatural beings.
an evil spirit or demon, especially one thought to possess people or cause harm
In the story, the devil tricks the protagonist into making a bad deal.
The antagonist, representing evil, manipulates the main character.
Often capitalized when referring to the supreme evil spirit in Christian theology.
a cruel or wicked person
Don't be such a devil—share your toys with your sister!
Don't be so unkind; be generous.
a mischievous person, especially a child
The little devils were running around the house, making a mess.
The children were being playful and causing chaos.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Capitalization in religious contexts
Capitalize 'Devil' when referring to Satan in Christian beliefs (e.g., 'The Devil tempted Adam and Eve'). Use lowercase 'devil' for general evil spirits or metaphorical usage.
Gold Rule
Idiomatic expressions
Learn common devil-related idioms like 'speak of the devil' or 'between the devil and the deep blue sea'—they are widely used in English.
Word Origin
From Old English 'dēofol', via Late Latin 'diabolus', from Greek 'diabolos' (slanderer, accuser), from 'diaballein' (to slander), from 'dia-' (across) + 'ballein' (to throw). Related to 'diabolic' and 'diabolical'.
Usage Notes
The word 'devil' is often used metaphorically in expressions like 'the devil you know' (a familiar problem) or 'a devil of a time' (a very difficult time). In Christian theology, 'the Devil' refers specifically to Satan, the supreme evil spirit.