Definition of devil
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
often capitalized
: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell
—usually used with the —often used as an interjection, an intensive, or a generalized term of abuse what the devil is this?the devil you say!
2
: an evil spirit : demon
3a
: an extremely wicked person : fiend
b
archaic
: a great evil
4
: a person of notable energy, recklessness, and dashing spirit
also
: one who is mischievous
those kids are little devils today
5
: fellow
—usually used in the phrases poor devil, lucky devil
6a
: something very trying or provoking
having a devil of a time with this problem
b
: severe criticism or rebuke : hell
—used with the I'll probably catch the devil for this
c
: the difficult, deceptive, or problematic part of something
the devil is in the details
7
: dust devil
between the devil and the deep blue sea
devil to pay
: faced with two equally objectionable alternatives
: severe consequences
—used with the there'll be the devil to pay if we're late
devil
verbDefinition of devil (Entry 2 of 2)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for devil
The first known use of devil was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century