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Devilish: meaning, definitions and examples

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devilish

 

[ ˈdɛvəlɪʃ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

mischievous behavior

Showing a strong desire to cause trouble or harm, often in a playful or mischievous way. Typically used to describe someone who enjoys pranks or causing chaos.

Synonyms

impish, mischievous, naughty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
devilish

In some contexts, it can also be used playfully to describe someone's cunning or clever behavior in a not entirely innocent way.

  • He gave me a devilish grin after pulling the prank.
mischievous

It is suitable for describing behavior that is playful but causing annoyance or minor trouble.

  • His mischievous actions got him into trouble with the teacher.
  • She has a mischievous streak and loves to play pranks on her friends.
naughty

Use this word for describing behavior that is disobedient or slightly improper, often used when speaking about children.

  • The naughty puppy chewed on my shoes.
  • Johnny was being naughty, so he was sent to his room.
impish

This word is best used to describe someone who is playfully mischievous and behaves in a way that is more innocent than harmful.

  • The child gave an impish smile as he hid behind the curtain.
  • She had an impish look in her eyes while sneaking the cookie from the jar.

Examples of usage

  • He had a devilish grin on his face as he plotted his next prank.
  • The children's devilish behavior was a constant source of amusement for their parents.
Context #2 | Adjective

extremely wicked or cruel

Characterized by extreme wickedness or cruelty. Used to describe actions or behavior that are evil or harmful.

Synonyms

cruel, evil, wicked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
devilish

This word is used to describe someone or something who is cunning or mischievous, often with a playful or charmingly naughty connotation.

  • He had a devilish grin on his face when he planned the prank.
  • The magician's tricks had a devilish complexity that left everyone in awe.
wicked

This word can be used both negatively and positively. Negatively, it describes something morally wrong or bad. Positively, it can be colloquially used to describe something excellent or impressive.

  • The witch in the story was known for her wicked curses.
  • The concert was absolutely wicked!
evil

This word is used to describe a person or action that is profoundly immoral and malevolent, often with a strong religious or mythological undertone.

  • The villain's evil plan was to conquer the world.
  • She could sense the evil presence in the haunted house.
cruel

This word refers to someone who causes pain or suffering without any sense of remorse. The context is often serious and carries a negative connotation.

  • The dictator was known for his cruel treatment of political prisoners.
  • Her cruel words cut deeper than any physical wound.

Examples of usage

  • The villain's devilish plan involved destroying the entire city.
  • She unleashed a devilish fury upon her enemies.

Translations

Translations of the word "devilish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 diabólico

🇮🇳 शैतानी

🇩🇪 teuflisch

🇮🇩 jahat

🇺🇦 диявольський

🇵🇱 diabelski

🇯🇵 悪魔のような

🇫🇷 diabolique

🇪🇸 diabólico

🇹🇷 şeytani

🇰🇷 악마 같은

🇸🇦 شيطاني

🇨🇿 ďábelský

🇸🇰 diabolský

🇨🇳 恶魔的

🇸🇮 hudičev

🇮🇸 djöfullegur

🇰🇿 шайтандық

🇬🇪 ეშმაკური

🇦🇿 şeytani

🇲🇽 diabólico

Etymology

The word 'devilish' originated from the Middle English 'develisch', which came from the Old English 'deofolisc'. It is derived from the word 'devil', which has roots in various languages including Old English, Old High German, and Latin. The concept of the devil as an evil supernatural being has been present in various cultures and religions throughout history.

See also: devilfish, devilry.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,470, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.