The devil
noun
The chief evil spirit in Christianity, Islam, and other religions.
He was afraid that the devil would lead him into temptation.
Usage tips
Religious
noun
A deceitful and unreliable person.
That man is a devil, don't trust him.
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
noun
Used in exclamations of annoyance or anger.
What the devil do you think you're doing?
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A powerful person in a particular field.
He's a devil at chess.
Usage tips
Approving
Colloquial
noun
An unfortunate or difficult aspect.
The devil is in the details.
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
noun
A mischievous or naughty person.
He's a little devil, always up to no good.
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The chief evil spirit in Christianity, Islam, and other religions.
He was afraid that the devil would lead him into temptation.
Usage tips
Religious
noun
A deceitful and unreliable person.
That man is a devil, don't trust him.
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
noun
Used in exclamations of annoyance or anger.
What the devil do you think you're doing?
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A powerful person in a particular field.
He's a devil at chess.
Usage tips
Approving
Colloquial
noun
An unfortunate or difficult aspect.
The devil is in the details.
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
noun
A mischievous or naughty person.
He's a little devil, always up to no good.
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Significance
Understand the role of the devil in religious stories as a symbol of evil or temptation.
In many sermons, preachers warn about the devil's temptations.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Impact
Realize the devil appears frequently in literature, film, and music as a villain or metaphor.
The character in the movie made a 'deal with the devil.'
Pro Tip 3/3Symbolic Opponent
The devil embodies the struggle against dark forces or inner demons in allegorical use.
He fought his own devils to stay sober.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Significance
Understand the role of the devil in religious stories as a symbol of evil or temptation.
In many sermons, preachers warn about the devil's temptations.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Impact
Realize the devil appears frequently in literature, film, and music as a villain or metaphor.
The character in the movie made a 'deal with the devil.'
Pro Tip 3/3Symbolic Opponent
The devil embodies the struggle against dark forces or inner demons in allegorical use.
He fought his own devils to stay sober.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Significance
Understand the role of the devil in religious stories as a symbol of evil or temptation.
In many sermons, preachers warn about the devil's temptations.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Impact
Realize the devil appears frequently in literature, film, and music as a villain or metaphor.
The character in the movie made a 'deal with the devil.'
Pro Tip 3/3Symbolic Opponent
The devil embodies the struggle against dark forces or inner demons in allegorical use.
He fought his own devils to stay sober.
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