[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/devil/)

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# devil

noun (a devil, devils; the Devil)

«devil» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The Devil is the main evil spirit in some religions, the enemy of God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#m1)
2. A devil is any evil spirit or demon in stories. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#m2)
3. (informal) A little devil is a naughty child or person, said fondly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#m3)
4. (informal) "Poor devil" means a person you feel sorry for; "lucky devil" means a lucky person. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#m4)
5. (mild swearing, old-fashioned) "What the devil...?" or "go to the devil!" show surprise or anger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#m5)
6. A Tasmanian devil is a small, fierce black animal from Australia. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#m6)

### In the lessons

In stories and myths, devils are wicked figures with horns and tails. In everyday talk, "devil" is often a fond or mild word. In Australian science lessons, the Tasmanian devil is a marsupial. Phrases: speak of the devil (said when someone you were talking about arrives), devil's advocate, between the devil and the deep blue sea, the devil is in the detail.

### Examples

- In the story, the devil tricked the farmer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x1)
- You little devil, you hid my keys! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x2)
- Speak of the devil, here comes Sam now! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x3)
- The poor devil lost his wallet and his bus ticket. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x4)
- What the devil is that noise? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x5)
- Tasmanian devils live only in Tasmania. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x6)
- You won a holiday? You lucky devil! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x7)
- I'll play devil's advocate and argue the other side. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x8)
- The Devil got hold of me. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/#x9)

### Note

Capital D for the Devil in religion. Adjective: devilish. Mild exclamations ("what the devil") are old-fashioned and informal. Devilled eggs = spicy eggs. Myth: the Tasmanian devil is not dangerous to people unless cornered.

## In Jewish tradition

In stories and myths, devils are wicked figures with horns and tails. In everyday talk, "devil" is often a fond or mild word. In Australian science lessons, the Tasmanian devil is a marsupial. Phrases: speak of the devil (said when someone you were talking about arrives), devil's advocate, between the devil and the deep blue sea, the devil is in the detail.

### Note

Capital D for the Devil in religion. Adjective: devilish. Mild exclamations ("what the devil") are old-fashioned and informal. Devilled eggs = spicy eggs. Myth: the Tasmanian devil is not dangerous to people unless cornered.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «devil» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/devil/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«devil» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/devil.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «devil» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/devil/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«devil» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/devil.html) on Mova free.