a proud, rebellious archangel, identified with Satan, who fell from heaven.
the planet Venus when appearing as the morning star.
(lowercase) friction match.
the leader of the rebellion of the angels: usually identified with Satan
the planet Venus when it rises as the morning star
before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin: morning star, literally, light-bringing, equivalent to lūci- (stem of lūx ) light + -fer -fer
How does lucifer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
No wonder Dante, the Florence-born author of the “Divine Comedy,” consigned counterfeiters to the eighth circle of hell, “just one rung higher than Lucifer in the ninth.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
The Indian Express said "the emotional depth and dramatic weight that anchored Lucifer are largely absent in Empuraan" but praised "Mohanlal's commanding performance" and some other aspects of the film.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2025
Luther, who has the sinister authority of a mild-mannered Lucifer in a wrinkled suit, makes to leave out of respect for Veronica’s wishes.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2024
He had the word Lucifer tattooed on his chest.
From New York Times • May 24, 2023
I trotted down the basement steps, carefully stepping over Lucifer, who raised a single irritated eye.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
