An Encylopedia Britannica Company

devil

devil /ˈdɛvl̟/ noun
plural devils
devil
/ˈdɛvl̟/
noun
plural devils
Britannica Dictionary definition of DEVIL
the Devil : the most powerful spirit of evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam who is often represented as the ruler of hell
[count] : an evil spirit
[count] informal
: a person who does bad things or causes trouble usually in a way that is not too serious
: a person (especially a man) who is lucky, unlucky, etc.
the devil informal used to make a statement or question more forceful
[singular] informal : something that is very difficult or that causes a lot of trouble
usually used in the phrase a devil of
see also the devil to pay at 1pay

be a devil

British, informal
used to tell someone who is not sure about doing something to go ahead and do it

better the devil you know than the devil you don't

used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation you know than with a new person or situation that could be worse

between the devil and the deep blue sea

old-fashioned
: in a situation that is difficult because you must choose between two unpleasant things

go to the devil

informal
used to forcefully and rudely tell someone to go away and leave you alone

like the devil

informal
: very much
: with a lot of energy and speed

speak/talk of the devil

informal
used in speech to say that someone you have been talking about has unexpectedly appeared