What does demonic mean?
Demonic is an adjective describing anything related to, or resembling, a demon — an evil supernatural being. Its literal use appears in religious texts, folklore, and horror fiction, as in 'demonic possession' or 'a demonic presence'. More broadly, it works figuratively to convey extreme cruelty, ferocity, or relentless intensity: a tennis player might show 'demonic determination', or a villain might have 'a demonic laugh'. The word always carries negative connotations of evil, menace, or terrifying force, though in casual usage the menace is often exaggerated for effect rather than literal. Derived from the Greek 'daimonikos', via Latin and French, it entered English in the early seventeenth century alongside related terms such as 'demon' and 'demoniac'. Its adverb form is 'demonically'. Synonyms include devilish, diabolical, fiendish, infernal, satanic, and hellish.
adjectiveRelating to or characteristic of a demon or demons; also used figuratively to describe something extremely cruel, frenzied, or evil in nature.
- Of, relating to, or resembling a demon or evil spirit.
- (Figurative) Extremely cruel, violent, or frenzied in a way that seems evil.
"The novel's villain is driven by a demonic obsession with power."
"The painting depicted a demonic figure looming over a sleeping village."
"She attacked her opponent with demonic intensity, refusing to concede a single point."
'Demonic' traces back to the Greek daimōn — originally not an evil spirit at all, but a divine being somewhere between gods and humans; Christianity later gave it its sinister reputation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demonic
The word 'demonic' derives from the Greek 'daimōn', a term that originally denoted a divine or semi-divine being, without necessarily evil connotations. It came into English via the Latin 'daemonicus' (or Medieval Latin forms) during the early seventeenth century, when Christian theology had already recast 'demon' as an evil spirit. Cognates and relatives include 'demon', 'demoniac', 'demonology', and 'pandemonium', the latter coined by Milton in the seventeenth century.
Related word forms
How demonic is actually used
'Demonic' carries strongly negative connotations and is often used hyperbolically in informal speech to describe intense effort, laughter, or aggression. In religious and literary contexts it retains its literal sense of pertaining to actual demons.
Easily confused with demonic
'Demonic' is the standard modern adjective meaning devil-like or fiendish, while 'demoniac' is a largely literary or technical term describing something possessed by, or affected by, a demon.