devil

Definition

  • noun: the most powerful spirit of evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam who is often represented as the ruler of hell
  • noun: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Jewish and Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell
  • verb: to season highly
  • used to make a statement or question more forceful
  • synonyms: demon, devil's hand

Examples

  • The new regulations have created 'a devil of' a problem [=a very difficult problem] for many small businesses.

  • He had 'a devil of a time' getting another job. [=he found it very difficult to get another job]

  • The shoes look great, but they're 'the devil' to walk in. [=they are very difficult to walk in]

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) lf your kid loves you so much, why is he leaving? You think you're special, cowboy? You're a piece of plastic. You were made to be thrown away. Speak of the devil. Now, we need toys in our Caterpillar Room and you need to avoid that truck. Why don't you come on back, join our family again? (..)
    2010 Toy Story 3