evil

1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-vəl 

 British often and US sometimes  ˈē-(ˌ)vil

eviler or eviller; evilest or evillest

1

a

: morally reprehensible : sinful, wicked

an evil impulse

b

: arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct

a person of evil reputation

2

a

archaic : inferior

b

: causing discomfort or repulsion : offensive

an evil odor

c

: disagreeable

woke late and in an evil temper

3

a

: causing harm : pernicious

the evil institution of slavery

b

: marked by misfortune : unlucky

evilly

ˈē-və(l)-lē 

 British often and US sometimes  ˈē-(ˌ)vi(l)-

adverb

evilness

ˈē-vəl-nəs 

 British often and US sometimes  ˈē-(ˌ)vil-

noun

evil

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing

b

: a cosmic evil force

2

: something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity

evil

3 of 3

adverb

archaic

: in an evil manner

Synonyms

Adjective

• adverse
• bad
• baleful
• baneful
• damaging
• dangerous
• deleterious
• detrimental
• harmful
• hurtful
• ill
• injurious
• mischievous
• nocuous
• noxious
• pernicious
• prejudicial
• wicked

Noun

• bad
• evildoing
• ill
• immorality
• iniquity
• sin
• villainy
• wrong

Examples of evil in a Sentence

Adjective

She drank an evil potion.

The city has fallen on evil days.

It was an evil omen.

Noun

the battle of good versus evil

our free will allows us to choose between good and evil

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the Lionsgate film, Berry plays the mom of twin boys, who faces an evil spirit attempting to disrupt their livelihood. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2024

In his latest Oke-Lawal introduces the context of curtains as a means to confront the evil stereotypes immigrants face when coming to a new country. —Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 25 Sep. 2024

Noun

And to put out into the world the absurd notion that the brothers were lovers is the height of pure evil. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2024

For Hal has sworn the oath of every Green Lantern—that no evil will escape his sight. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English yfel; akin to Old High German ubil evil

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing evil

• evil eye
• evil-minded
• king's evil
• the evil eye

Kids Definition

evil

1 of 2 adjective

ˈē-vəl 

eviler or eviller; evilest or evillest

1

: morally bad : wicked

2

a

: causing harm : tending to injure

b

: marked by misfortune

evil days

evilly

-vəl-(l)ē 

adverb

evil

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that brings sorrow, trouble, or destruction

2

: the fact of suffering or wrongdoing