noun
Cruella
noun
1
A cruel, vain, or heartless woman, especially one who is theatrically villainous.
"Her stepmother was a real Cruella when it came to the pets."
How to Use Cruella
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn informal, often playful way to call a woman cruel or spiteful, after the cartoon villain.
When to use it
Informal and usually humorous or exaggerated rather than literal.
Word Forms
Cruellas plural
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Her stepmother was a real _____ when it came to the pets.
Etymology
From Cruella de Vil, the villain of 101 Dalmatians — her name is a pun combining "cruel" and "devil."