If you describe someone as a fiend, you mean that they are extremely wicked or cruel.
[written]
We must catch the fiend who did this.
2. countable noun [noun NOUN]
Fiend can be used after a noun to refer to a person who is very interested in the thing mentioned, and enjoys having a lot of it or doing it often.
...if you're a heavy coffee drinker or strong-tea fiend.
More Synonyms of fiend
fiend in British English
(fiːnd)
noun
1.
an evil spirit; demon; devil
2.
a person who is extremely wicked, esp in being very cruel or brutal
3. informal
a.
a person who is intensely interested in or fond of something
a fresh-air fiend
he is a fiend for cards
b.
an addict
a drug fiend
4. (informal)
a mischievous or spiteful person, esp a child
Derived forms
fiendlike (ˈfiendˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
Old English fēond; related to Old Norse fjāndi enemy, Gothic fijands, Old High German fīant
Fiend in British English
(fiːnd)
noun
the Fiend
fiend in American English
(find)
noun
1.
an evil spirit; devil
2.
an inhumanly wicked or cruel person
3. US, Informal
a.
a person addicted to some activity, habit, etc.
a fresh-air fiend
b.
a person who is excellent at some activity
a fiend at tennis
Idioms:
the Fiend
Word origin
ME fend, feend < OE feond, lit., the one hating, orig. prp. < base of feogan, to hate, akin to Goth fijands < fijan, to hate < IE base *pē(i)-, to harm
Examples of 'fiend' in a sentence
fiend
Evidence could also be flimsy, meaning a fiend could get off whereas under a caution guilt is assured.
The Sun (2009)
It's no wonder I became a dope fiend.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
1 (noun)
Definition
a cruel or wicked person
a saint to his parents and a fiend to his children
Synonyms
brute
an unpleasant brute
monster
You make me sound like an absolute monster!
savage
The kids in the orchestra are a right bunch of savages!
beast
He is an absolute beast in terms of his will to win.
degenerate
barbarian
Our maths teacher was a bully and a complete barbarian.
ogre
I have been painted as this ogre with no regard for others.
ghoul
2 (noun)
Definition
a person who is extremely interested in or fond of something
(informal)
a strong-tea fiend
Synonyms
enthusiast
He is a great sports enthusiast.
fan
addict
She's a TV addict and watches as much as she can.
freak (informal)
He's a self-confessed computer freak.
fanatic
I am not a religious fanatic but I am a Christian.
maniac
big-spending football maniacs
energumen (archaic)
3 (noun)
Definition
an evil spirit
She is a fiend incarnate, leading these people to eternal damnation.
Synonyms
demon
They believed he was possessed by evil demons.
devil
the image of devils with horns and cloven hoofs
evil spirit
hellhound
atua (New Zealand)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of addict
Definition
a person who is devoted to something
She's a TV addict and watches as much as she can.
Synonyms
fan,
lover,
nut (slang),
follower,
enthusiast,
freak (informal),
admirer,
buff (informal),
junkie (informal),
devotee,
fiend (informal),
adherent,
rooter (US),
zealot,
groupie (slang),
aficionado
in the sense of barbarian
Our maths teacher was a bully and a complete barbarian.
Synonyms
savage,
monster,
beast,
brute,
yahoo,
swine,
ogre,
sadist
in the sense of beast
Definition
a brutal or uncivilized person
He is an absolute beast in terms of his will to win.
Synonyms
brute,
monster,
savage,
barbarian,
fiend,
swine,
ogre,
ghoul,
sadist
Nearby words of
fiend
fidget
fidgety
field
fiend
fiendish
fierce
fiercely
Synonyms of 'fiend'
fiend
Explore 'fiend' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of devil
Definition
any evil spirit
the image of devils with horns and cloven hoofs
Synonyms
evil spirit,
demon,
fiend,
ghoul,
hellhound,
atua (New Zealand),
wairua (New Zealand)
in the sense of fan
Definition
a person who admires or is enthusiastic about a pop star, actor, sport, or hobby
Synonyms
devotee,
addict,
freak (informal),
buff (informal),
fiend (informal),
adherent,
zealot,
aficionado,
groupie (slang)
in the sense of fanatic
Definition
a person devoted to a particular hobby or pastime
I am not a religious fanatic but I am a Christian.
Synonyms
extremist,
activist,
militant,
addict,
enthusiast,
buff (informal),
visionary,
devotee,
bigot,
zealot,
energumen (archaic)
in the sense of freak
Definition
a person who is very enthusiastic about something specified
He's a self-confessed computer freak.
Synonyms
enthusiast,
fan,
nut (slang),
addict,
buff (informal),
fanatic,
devotee,
fiend (informal),
aficionado
in the sense of maniac
Definition
a person who has a great craving or enthusiasm for something
big-spending football maniacs
Synonyms
fanatic,
fan,
enthusiast,
freak (informal),
fiend (informal)
in the sense of monster
Definition
an exceptionally cruel or wicked person
You make me sound like an absolute monster!
Synonyms
brute,
devil,
savage,
beast,
demon,
villain,
barbarian,
fiend,
ogre,
ghoul,
bogeyman
in the sense of ogre
Definition
any monstrous or cruel person
I have been painted as this ogre with no regard for others.
Synonyms
fiend,
monster,
beast,
villain,
brute,
bogeyman
in the sense of savage
Definition
a fierce or vicious person
The kids in the orchestra are a right bunch of savages!