单词 | devilish |
释义 | devilish (once / 1379 pages) adjadv You can describe someone as devilish if they're nasty and cruel, although this adjective is also used for rascally or naughty people, like the devilish kids you babysit. A devilish punishment is cruel, but a devilish preschooler simply misbehaves in a playful way. Since about 1600, the word devil has been used to mean not just an "evil, diabolical spirit," but also a "clever rogue." The adjective has followed suit, so you might describe a terrifying movie monster as a devilish creature, while also calling your favorite rascal a devilish creature. WORD FAMILYdevilish: devilishly+/devil: deviled, deviling, devilise, devilish, devilize, devilled, devilling, devilment, devilry, devils, deviltry/devilment: devilments/devilry: devilries/deviltry: deviltries USAGE EXAMPLESThose legendary eyebrows are wispy now, the devilish eyes half-closed as he lies beside a tray of juice and apple sauce. Washington Post(Dec 23, 2016) That’s the promotion for a widely circulating propaganda video that warns of the “devilish claws” of the West. New York Times(Dec 22, 2016) My favourite songs of his are the devilish ones like Chelsea Hotel #2, and I adore Who By Fire. The Guardian(Dec 11, 2016) 1adj showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil devilish schemes Syn diabolic, diabolical, mephistophelean, mephistophelian evil morally bad or wrong 2adj playful in an appealingly bold way Syn rascally, roguish playful full of fun and high spirits 3adv in a playfully devilish manner Syn devilishly |
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