Lucifer

American  

[loo-suh-fer] / ˈlu sə fər /

noun

1. a proud, rebellious archangel, identified with Satan, who fell from heaven.

2. the planet Venus when appearing as the morning star.

3. (lowercase) friction match.

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Lucifer ¹ British  

/ ˈluːsɪfə /

noun

1. the leader of the rebellion of the angels: usually identified with Satan

2. the planet Venus when it rises as the morning star

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lucifer ² British  

/ ˈluːsɪfə /

noun

1. a friction match: originally a trade name for a match manufactured in England in the 19th century

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Lucifer ¹ Cultural  

1. Another name for Satan.

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Lucifer ² Cultural  

1. A name, traditional in Christianity, for the leader of the devils, an angel who was cast from heaven into hell because he rebelled against God. Lucifer is usually identified with Satan. The name Lucifer, which means “bearer of light” or “morning star,” refers to his former splendor as the greatest of the angels.

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Etymology

Origin of Lucifer

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin: morning star, literally, light-bringing, equivalent to lūci- (stem of lūx ) light + -fer -fer

Compare meaning

How does lucifer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Lucifer vs. Satan

Example Sentences

No wonder Dante, the Florence-born author of the “Divine Comedy,” consigned counterfeiters to the eighth circle of hell, “just one rung higher than Lucifer in the ninth.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Still, we suspect this battle isn’t over; Lucifer is likely to want a rematch in Season 2.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2023

He had the word Lucifer tattooed on his chest.

From New York Times • May 24, 2023

Members say they don't actually believe in a literal Lucifer or Hell.

From BBC • May 19, 2023

Daisy Mae rubbed up against my leg, and outside I heard Lucifer beg for entrance.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• Satan