English Explanatory Dictionary

devilish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Resembling a devil.
  2. Evil, wicked.
  3. Roguish or mischievous.
  4. Excessive, extreme.
adv
  1. Devilishly; very; exceedingly.

Pronunciation

dĕvʹəl /ˈdɛvəlɪʃ/ /ˈdɛvɪlɪʃ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-devilish.wav

Word forms

devilish more devilish most devilish

Etymology

From Middle English develissh, develyssh, equivalent to devil + -ish. Cognate with Saterland Frisian düvelsk, düüwelsk (“devilish”), West Frisian duvelsk (“devilish”), Dutch duivels (“devilish”), German Low German düvelsk (“devilish”), German teuflisch (“devilish”), Danish djævelsk (“devilish”), Swedish djävulsk (“devilish”), Norwegian djevelsk (“devilish”).

Synonyms

demoniac demonic diabolic diabolical hellish infernal fiendish satanic satanical unhallowed cacodaemoniacal daemonical demoniacal demonical demonish demonlike demonly devilish fallen angelic fiendlike atrocious deuced malicious mischievous nefarious ogreish reprobate abandoned arrant bad bad apple bad seed baleful scurrilous baneful base black-hearted dark deleterious depraved despicable detrimental evil evil-minded facinorous flagitious harmful heinous ill-intentioned ill-natured immoral incorrigible iniquitous iniquous injurious knavish malefic maleficent malevolent malign

Derived words

devilishly devilishness undevilish
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