evil

1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-vəl 

 British often and US sometimes  ˈē-(ˌ)vil

eviler or eviller; evilest or evillest

1

a

: morally reprehensible : sinful, wicked

an evil impulse

an evil tyrant

evil deeds

the evil institution of slavery

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

drank an evil potion

b

: marked by misfortune : unlucky

fallen on evil times

evilly

ˈē-və(l)-lē 

 British often and US sometimes  ˈē-(ˌ)vi(l)-

adverb

evilness

ˈē-vəl-nəs 

 British often and US sometimes  ˈē-(ˌ)vil-

noun

evil

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing

the evil that befell them

believed the world was full of evil

b

: a cosmic evil force

2

: something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity

—often used in the plural

the evils of alcohol

forced to choose between the lesser of two evils[=between two things that are both bad]

considers paying taxes a necessary evil[=something unwanted that is needed for a good result]

evil

3 of 3

adverb

archaic

: in an evil manner

Synonyms of evil

Adjective

• harmful
• dangerous
• detrimental
• damaging
• adverse
• bad

Noun

• bad
• wrong
• evilness
• badness
• sin

Examples of evil in a Sentence

Adjective

She drank an evil potion.

The city has fallen on evil days.

It was an evil omen.

Noun

the battle of good versus evil

our free will allows us to choose between good and evil

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Like terrestrial monsters, evil aliens are often stand-ins for real-life anxieties. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Thia was sent to this dread planet by the Weyland-Yutani corporation, the famously evil entity that haunts most of the Alien movies. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025

Noun

Rattenfänger is also planning a brutal cyberattack that will affect all of the Western world — leading Bond to team up with the remaining double agents and a handful of allies to stop the evil at hand. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025

The trio make their first trip from Shanghai to San Francisco, coming face to face with colorful monsters and spirits of both good and evil from Chinese folklore. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing evil

• evil eye
• evil-minded
• king's evil
• necessary evil
• the evil eye

Rhymes for evil

• weevil
• coeval
• medieval
• primeval
• retrieval
• upheaval

Kids Definition

evil

1 of 2 adjective

ˈē-vəl 

eviler or eviller; evilest or evillest

1

: morally bad : wicked

2

a

: causing harm : tending to injure

b

: marked by misfortune

evil days

evilly

-vəl-(l)ē 

adverb

evil

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that brings sorrow, trouble, or destruction

2

: the fact of suffering or wrongdoing