Word forms: plural demonsregional note: in BRIT, also use daemon
1. countable noun
A demon is an evil spirit.
...a woman possessed by demons.
Synonyms: evil spirit, devil, fiend, goblin More Synonyms of demon
2. countable noun [usually plural]
Sources of worry or conflict which trouble a person or group of people are sometimes referred to as demons.
[literary]
...the demons of hatred, violence and ethnic fanaticism.
3. countable noun
If you approve of someone because they are very skilled at what they do or because they do it energetically, you can say that they do it like a demon.
[approval]
He played like a demon.
He is a demon organizer.
Synonyms: wizard, master, ace [informal], addict More Synonyms of demon
4. countable noun
If you refer to a powerful person such as a politician as a demon, you mean that you believe they are bad and might be dangerous.
[disapproval]
She was a dictator and a demon.
He was seen as a demon, determined to hand the country over to the reactionaries.
Synonyms: monster, beast, villain, rogue More Synonyms of demon
demon in British English
(ˈdiːmən)
noun
1.
an evil spirit or devil
2.
a person, habit, obsession, etc, thought of as evil, cruel, or persistently tormenting
3. Also called: daemon, daimon
an attendant or ministering spirit; genius
the demon of inspiration
4.
a.
a person who is extremely skilful in, energetic at, or devoted to a given activity, esp a sport
a demon at cycling
b.
(as modifier)
a demon cyclist
5. a variant spelling of daemon (sense 1)
6. Australian and New Zealand informal, archaic
a detective or police officer
7. computing
a part of a computer program, such as a help facility, that can run in the background behind the current task or application, and which will only begin to work when certain conditions are met or when it is specifically invoked
Word origin
C15: from Latin daemōn evil spirit, spirit, from Greek daimōn spirit, deity, fate; see daemon
demon in American English
(ˈdimən)
noun
1.
daemon (sense 1) daemon (sense 2)
2.
a devil; evil spirit
3.
a person or thing regarded as evil, cruel, etc.
the demon of jealousy
4.
a.
a person who has great energy or skill
a demon at golf
b.
an enthusiast or devotee
a speed demon
Derived forms
demonic (deˈmonic) (dɪˈmɑnɪk)
adjective
demonically (deˈmonically)
adverb
Word origin
ME < L: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'demon' in a sentence
demon
It probes the vulnerabilities of the mind and forces participants to engage in an almost permanent dialogue with their inner demons.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He works like a demon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And with that the demon turns and runs.
Richard Holmes Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War (2006)
Who says theology is sidelined because the demons are personal?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The draw does not look to contain too many demons.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Can she stay strong or will she turn to the demon drink?
The Sun (2013)
Our volunteers support and monitor those seeking to overcome their inner demons.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
All of the old demons are running back.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This heightened emotional period is the perfect backdrop against which to wrestle with a few personal demons.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But the only genuine demon may be the demon drink.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Only you can know your inner demons.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Now the player once tipped for stardom admits he has been battling inner demons.
The Sun (2013)
It is in part her frankness about her personal demons that has won her the affection of many.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The storm must have howled like a demon as it tore through the rigging and churned the sea to a boil.
Christianity Today (2000)
And why not the reality of evil, of demons?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They were like demons, cunningly abseiling upwards to the ceiling to hang over me all night.
John Walsh ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?: A Life Through the Movies (2004)
The earth moved and groaned underfoot, and on all sides the wind shrieked like tormented demons.
Barrett, Clive The Gods of Asgard (1989)
Hence they are fighting like demons, refusing to surrender.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's time to lay your personal demons to rest.
The Sun (2013)
Going into the training camp, those bad thoughts and demons were still in the back of my mind.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is the hour when the sleepless are haunted by their deepest fear, when ghosts and demons are most powerful.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is a powerful demon.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His demons are really bad.
The Sun (2014)
The demons of drink, they say, place too great a burden on police resources.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
FOR months, Scottish independence has been a demon that many captains of industry have been reluctant to confront.