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Evil: meaning, definitions and examples

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evil

 

[ ˈiːvəl ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

in moral or spiritual sense

Profoundly immoral and malevolent. Evil is typically associated with harm, destruction, and wickedness. It is often seen as the opposite of good.

Synonyms

malevolent, malicious, sinister, wicked

Examples of usage

  • The evil queen plotted to overthrow the kingdom.
  • His evil deeds haunted him for the rest of his life.
  • She could sense the evil presence in the abandoned house.
Context #2 | Noun

general sense of harm or wickedness

The force or power believed to be responsible for the presence of evil in the world. Evil is often considered a universal concept that manifests in various forms.

Synonyms

darkness, malevolence, sin, wickedness

Examples of usage

  • Many believed that the evil in the world was a result of human actions.
  • The battle between good and evil raged on for centuries.

Translations

Translations of the word "evil" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mal

🇮🇳 बुराई

🇩🇪 Böse

🇮🇩 jahat

🇺🇦 зло

🇵🇱 zło

🇯🇵 悪

🇫🇷 mal

🇪🇸 mal

🇹🇷 kötü

🇰🇷 악

🇸🇦 شر

🇨🇿 zlo

🇸🇰 zlo

🇨🇳 邪恶

🇸🇮 zlo

🇮🇸 illt

🇰🇿 жамандық

🇬🇪 ბოროტება

🇦🇿 şər

🇲🇽 mal

Etymology

The word 'evil' has its roots in Old English, derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'ubilaz'. It has been used throughout history in religious, philosophical, and literary contexts to describe the concept of profound immorality and harm. The idea of evil has been a central theme in many cultures and belief systems, often representing the struggle between good and evil forces.

See also: evildoer, evilly, evilness.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,832, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.