Diabolic
//ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪk// adj
adj ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Of, being, or pertaining to a devil or the Devil.
"diabolic magic square"
- 2 Having qualities traditionally attributed to devils. figuratively
- 3 Having qualities traditionally attributed to devils.; Wicked; evil; cruel. especially, figuratively
"a cunning and diabolic plot"
Adjective
- 1 extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell wordnet
- 2 showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil wordnet
Example
More examples"This god is cruel, nervous, and diabolic, with yellow wrinkly skin, small squinty eyes, a triangular nose, and bright teeth."
Etymology
From Middle English diabolik, from Middle French diabolique, from Late Latin diabolicus, from Ancient Greek διαβολικός (diabolikós, “devilish”), from διάβολος (diábolos, “devil”). First attested in 1350–1400.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.