Main Entry: ¹evil

Pronunciation: \ˈē-vəl, British often & US also ˈē-(ˌ)vil\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): evil·er or evil·ler; evil·est or evil·lest

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English yfel; akin to Old High German ubil evil

Date: before 12th century

1 a : morally reprehensible : sinful, wicked <an evil impulse> b : arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct <a person of evil reputation>
2 a archaic : inferior b : causing discomfort or repulsion : offensive <an evil odor> c : disagreeable <woke late and in an evil temper>
3 a : causing harm : pernicious <the evil institution of slavery> b : marked by misfortune : unlucky

— evil adverb, archaic

— evil·ly \-(l)ē\ adverb

— evil·ness \-nəs\ noun