devil

An evil spirit or creature in religious beliefs and stories.

• The story features a frightening devil.
• He drew a devil with horns and a tail.
• Some people believed that devils caused illness.

Similar words: demon, fiend

Opposites: angel

Common phrases: the devil, evil devil, devil worship, a wicked devil

A person you feel sorry for, admire, or describe with a particular feeling.

• The poor devil lost his job.
• You lucky devil, you won again!
• That cheeky devil ate the last biscuit.

Similar words: fellow

Common phrases: poor devil, lucky devil, cheeky devil

The part of your mind that encourages you to do something wrong.

• My inner devil urged me to cheat.
• The devil in her wanted to get revenge.
• He ignored the devil on his shoulder and told the truth.

How to use it: the devil in someone (The devil in me wanted to hide his keys.)

Opposites: angel

Common phrases: devil in someone, inner devil, devil on your shoulder

To fill boiled egg halves with their yolks mixed with spices and other ingredients.

• We will devil the eggs tonight.
• She deviled twelve eggs for the party.
• Do you use mustard when you devil eggs?

Common phrases: devil eggs, devil the eggs