adj
maleficent
muh-LEHF-ih-suhnt
Maleficent (adj) means causing harm, especially through evil intent. Example: “The story centers on a maleficent sorceress who curses the kingdom.”
adj
1
Causing harm, especially through evil intent.
"The story centers on a maleficent sorceress who curses the kingdom."
"The critic described the character’s smile as darkly maleficent."
"In the tale, a maleficent witch cursed the newborn princess."
How to use maleficent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, almost literary word meaning harmful or evil-doing.
When to use it
Rare in everyday speech; mostly found in literature or fantasy writing.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more maleficent
- Superlative
- most maleficent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The story centers on a _____ sorceress who curses the kingdom.
Etymology
From Latin male ("badly") plus a form of facere ("to do"), so literally "doing bad."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for maleficent
See all rhymes for maleficent →Frequently asked questions
What does “maleficent” mean?
The word “maleficent” means causing harm, especially through evil intent. In plain terms, a formal, almost literary word meaning harmful or evil-doing.
How do you pronounce “maleficent”?
“Maleficent” is pronounced muh-LEHF-ih-suhnt (/məˈlɛf.ɪ.sənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “maleficent” in a sentence?
Here is “maleficent” used in a sentence: “The story centers on a maleficent sorceress who curses the kingdom.”
What part of speech is “maleficent”?
“Maleficent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “maleficent” come from?
The word “maleficent” comes from Latin. From Latin male ("badly") plus a form of facere ("to do"), so literally "doing bad.".
