devilish

[ dev-uh-lish, dev-lish ]

adjective

1. of, like, or befitting a devil; diabolical; fiendish.

   Synonyms: excessive, infernal, demoniac, satanic

2. extreme; very great:

   a devilish mess.

adverb

1. excessively; extremely:

   He's devilish proud.

devilish

/ ˈdɛvlɪʃ; ˈdɛvəlɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or befitting a devil; diabolic; fiendish

adverb

1. (intensifier)

   this devilish heat

   devilish good food

Derived Forms

• ˈdevilishly, adverb
• ˈdevilishness, noun

Other Words From

• devil·ish·ly adverb
• devil·ish·ness noun
• super·devil·ish adjective
• super·devil·ish·ly adverb
• super·devil·ish·ness noun
• un·devil·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of devilish¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; devil, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

And so, on the night that the aerial spraying began came what was, for my money, one of the greatest political PR moments in the history of that devilish art.

From Los Angeles Times

But despite the length, much of the devilish detail is yet to be decided.

From BBC

“People come here for a quiet, tranquil, community-spirted life and that’s being damaged badly by one or two devilish people,” he said.

From BBC

One week later, sporting a shiny black tuxedo and devilish grin, host Seth Rogen emerged with a oversized match to spark the three-story prop bong commissioned for the festival.

From Los Angeles Times

Brooklyn looked over at Charlotte, who smiled back at her with a devilish grin.

From Literature

Related Words

• demonic
• diabolical