What does devilish mean?
"Devilish" is an adjective that describes something wicked, cruel, or reminiscent of the devil himself. It is most often applied to schemes, plots, smiles, or behaviour that carry a hint of malice or mischief — a "devilish plan" suggests not just badness but a certain cunning ingenuity. The word derives from "devil", which traces back through Old English to the Greek "diabolos", meaning slanderer or accuser. In modern usage, "devilish" frequently appears in the adverbial form "devilishly", where its force is often softened into something almost admiring: a "devilishly handsome" man or a "devilishly clever" solution carries connotations of roguish appeal rather than genuine evil. This duality — between outright wickedness and mischievous charm — gives the word its enduring versatility. It suits both serious moral condemnation and light-hearted teasing, making it a favourite of novelists, journalists, and conversationalists alike.
Resembling or characteristic of a devil; wicked, evil, or fiendish in nature.
"The criminal mastermind executed a devilish scheme that baffled investigators for years."
Often carries a connotation of cunning or ingenuity alongside malevolence.
(Informal) Used as an intensifier meaning very or extremely.
"It was a devilish cold morning, but they set out anyway."
This sense is now somewhat dated and chiefly found in older or dialectal British and American English.
Shakespeare used 'devilish' over 30 times — and it still sounds just as menacing four centuries later.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of devilish
"Devilish" comes from Middle English "develisch", formed from "devil" plus the suffix "-ish". The word "devil" itself descends from Old English "dēofol", which was borrowed from Latin "diabolus", itself taken from Greek "diabolos", meaning "slanderer" or "accuser" — literally "one who throws across". Related forms such as "devilry" and "devilment" share this same root. The word has carried its sense of diabolical wickedness since its earliest recorded uses in medieval English.
Related word forms
How devilish is actually used
Commonly used in literary and informal registers. The adverb form "devilishly" is frequent in modern usage, especially in phrases like "devilishly difficult" or "devilishly handsome", where it often carries a playful rather than sinister connotation. The archaic sense of "devilish" as a mere intensifier (e.g., "devilish hot") is now largely confined to older British and American colloquial speech.
Easily confused with devilish
"Devilry" is a noun meaning wicked or mischievous behaviour, whereas "devilish" is an adjective describing something wicked or devil-like.