adj
devilish
DEH-vuh-lihsh
Devilish (adj) means Wicked or mischievous in a way that recalls the devil. Example: “He gave a devilish grin before revealing the prank.”
adj
1
Wicked or mischievous in a way that recalls the devil.
"He gave a devilish grin before revealing the prank."
"The riddle had a devilish twist that fooled everyone."
adv
1
Extremely; used to intensify an adjective (informal, somewhat dated).
"It was a devilish hard exam, harder than anyone expected."
How to use devilish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWicked, mischievous, or fiendishly clever, sometimes in an admiring way.
Common pairings
a devilish grin
devilish charm
devilish trick
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more devilish
- Superlative
- most devilish
Fill the gap
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He gave a _____ grin before revealing the prank.
Etymology
From Middle English develissh, formed from devil plus the adjective-forming suffix -ish.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “devilish” mean?
The word “devilish” means wicked or mischievous in a way that recalls the devil. In plain terms, wicked, mischievous, or fiendishly clever, sometimes in an admiring way.
How do you pronounce “devilish”?
“Devilish” is pronounced DEH-vuh-lihsh (/ˈdɛvəlɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “devilish” in a sentence?
Here is “devilish” used in a sentence: “He gave a devilish grin before revealing the prank.”
What part of speech is “devilish”?
Depending on how it is used, “devilish” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “devilish” come from?
The word “devilish” comes from Middle English. From Middle English develissh, formed from devil plus the adjective-forming suffix -ish.
How many meanings does “devilish” have?
“Devilish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wicked or mischievous in a way that recalls the devil.
