evil

1 of 4

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 4

noun (1)

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 4

adverb

archaic

: in an evil manner

evilness

4 of 4

noun (2)

evil·​ness

plural -es

: the quality of being evil : badness

Synonyms of evil

Adjective

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

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

the battle of good versus evil

our free will allows us to choose between good and evil

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The stories say the ghosts are believed to be protective and not evil. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

No one is evil, but people do stupid things, which accords with my own memories of college. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

The story follows the Trask family over generations of defining good and evil. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

For instance, the way that Tresnjak, wardrobe designer Charlotte DeVaux Shields and set designer Alexander Dodge have conspired to make sneakers into the embodiment of complicity and evil is fairly ingenious. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun (2)

Middle English ivelnes, evelnes, evilnes, from Old English yfelnes, from yfel evil + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun (1)

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
• primaeval
• primeval
• retrieval
• upheaval
• mediaeval

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