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devil

devil

30 5.3
A short shout used to show surprise, anger, or confusion
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛvəl/
  • Informal
translation icon : qué diablos
  • What the devil's going on?
  • speak of the devil
  • what the devil is going on
  • what the devil happened

Examples

  • Wow, speak of the devil, here I come.

  • And who the devil invited this guy to my comments section?

  • But but then what the devil are they?

  • And our favorite part is what the oh, hey, speak of the devil, Peter, how are you guys?

  • And speak of the devil!

  • What the devil's the matter with you?

  • "What the devil is that?" asks Liam, turning in his chair to see.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • When Daddy saw the angel on the grave next to ours, he cried, "What the devil?"

    Fiction book (2002)
  • This animal barely weighs anything but fights like a devil.

  • What the devil is going on here? I wasn't expecting to see you!

Synonyms

deuce
vsdevil
  • Archaic
15 9.9

A word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or confusion

is used more for strong emphasis or to question an unexpected thing
what the Devil
vsdevil
  • Archaic
4 9.5

A phrase said to show surprise, confusion, or annoyance

is used as a single word exclamation for the same feelings
dickens
vsdevil
  • Archaic
9.9

A word people say in exclamations to show surprise, confusion, or annoyance

is stronger and not used as a milder, polite substitute

Idioms

the devil
  • Informal
29 7.0

Something very difficult to do or deal with

13 4.8

A phrase said when someone you are talking about appears

like the devil
  • Informal
8 8.2

Very quickly and with great energy

what the Devil
  • Archaic
4 9.5

A phrase said to show surprise, confusion, or annoyance

1 9.6

To take a serious risk by doing something morally wrong to gain power or money

1 7.8

A person who seems kind but is really dangerous

To admit that someone has good points even if you dislike them

Small, often overlooked parts of a plan can cause big problems

You must choose between two options that are both bad

Not a single person or thing is present

A phrase people say to tell you bad thoughts are lies

Compounds

handsome devil
  • Informal
7 7.0

A man who is attractive and playfully charming and sometimes hard to trust

A person who prays to the devil or evil spirits

devil-may-care
  • Informal
4 8.1

Not caring about danger or the bad results of actions

she-devil
  • Offensive
4 8.8

A cruel woman who treats people very badly

3 6.3

A small spinning column of air that lifts dust and leaves

poor devil
  • Informal
2 5.4

A person you feel sorry for

Tasmanian devil
  • Australian
2 6.2

A small fierce animal from Tasmania that carries its young in a pouch and eats meat

devil dog
  • Slang
1 7.2

A member of the United States Marine Corps known for bravery and toughness

1 9.9

A rude name used in East Asia for someone from another country, often a Western person, showing fear or hate

1 7.4

A small ray like a manta that grows to about four feet and swims in groups

devil wagon
  • Slang
1 9.9

A vehicle that moves very fast in a dangerous way

A prickly plant with tall spikes of blue flowers that grows in fields

blue devil
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong sleeping medicine that makes people sleep

To pray to devils or evil spirits, often using special rituals

devil dancing
  • Literature
8.8

A lively dance people do at festivals or celebrations

8.0

A strong plant that spreads quickly and is used for lawns and pastures in warm places

9.9

A plant that lives many years with large reddish orange flowers with black spots and petals that curve back

9.9

A plant with tiny hairs that sting your skin

devil tree
  • Indian
9.9

A tall tropical tree from eastern Asia and the Philippines with glossy leaves and small white flowers

A dance by Apache people performed during a religious ceremony

folk devil
  • Jargon
8.9

A person or group unfairly blamed for social problems and seen as dangerous

9.9

A plant from Europe with bright yellow flowers that grows wild and harms crops

mountain devil
  • Australian
9.9

A bushy Australian shrub with clusters of bright red flowers that attract birds

mountain devil
  • Australian
9.9

A small spiky Australian lizard that eats mainly ants

go-devil
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who likes adventure and often takes big risks

printer's devil
  • Archaic
9.9

A worker who helps in a print shop with simple tasks like mixing ink

red devil
  • NSFW
9.9

A strong sleeping drug used to calm people or stop seizures

soot devil
  • Literature
9.9

An imaginary creature that makes soot messes near fireplaces

Surface Forms

devil singular
devils plural

Etymology

Devil was long used as a strong oath because people used the name of the devil to show surprise or anger, so saying 'Devil!' became a quick way to express shock or annoyance. That's why devil appears in exclamations.