# devilish

/ˈdɛvɫɪʃ/ (US) · /dˈɛvɪlɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/devilish
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. mischievous

adjective · CEFR B2

playfully naughty or cheeky in a way that is often attractive.

For teachers: roguish or mischievous in a manner that suggests a playful disregard for rules.

- He had a devilish grin on his face as he hid his sister's keys.
- The actor played the character with a devilish charm that made the audience root for the villain despite his crimes.

### 2. wicked or evil

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

very bad, cruel, or evil.

For teachers: resembling or characteristic of a devil; showing extreme wickedness or cruelty.

- The dictator was known for his devilish cruelty toward his own people.
- The novel explores the devilish impulses that can drive an otherwise ordinary man to commit unspeakable acts.

### 3. extremely difficult

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

very difficult to deal with or solve.

For teachers: extremely difficult, frustrating, or troublesome to handle.

- The last question on the math exam was truly devilish.
- The mountain road was full of devilish turns that tested the skills of even the most experienced drivers.

### 4. very or extremely

adverb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Archaic

used to mean 'very' or 'extremely' to emphasize a quality.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'exceedingly' or 'very'.

- It was a devilish cold morning, so we decided to stay inside.
- The young lord was described as being devilish handsome, though his reputation in the city was poor.

## Examples

- He has a devilish way of getting what he wants.
- The detective's devilish mind allowed him to solve the case in record time, leaving the other officers in awe.
- The architect's devilish design incorporated hidden passageways and secret rooms that made the mansion feel both grand and deeply unsettling to its inhabitants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.