Mephistopheles

American  

[mef-uh-stof-uh-leez] / ˌmɛf əˈstɒf əˌliz /

Also Mephisto

noun

1. Medieval Demonology. one of the seven chief devils and the tempter of Faust.

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Mephistopheles British  

/ ˌmɛfɪˈstɒfɪˌliːz, ˌmɛfɪstəˈfiːlɪən, məˈfɪstəʊ /

noun

1. a devil in medieval mythology and the one to whom Faust sold his soul in the Faust legend

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Mephistopheles Cultural  

1. In the drama Faust by Goethe, a devil who tempts Faust into selling his soul to the powers of darkness. Mephistopheles also appears, with his name spelled Mephistophilis, in the sixteenth-century English play Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe.

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Other Word Forms

• Mephistophelean
  adjective
• Mephistophelian
  adjective

Example Sentences

Railroad magnate and speculator Jay Gould was dubbed “the Mephistopheles of Wall Street” by ministers on the pulpit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025

But the old stories of the magicians and their bargains, of Faust and his Mephistopheles, suggest that we would be wise to fear apparent obedience as well.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023

In life, however, Höfgen plays Faust, the weak, tempted one, while the part of Mephistopheles is taken by the Nazi state and its functionaries.

From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2020

While Faust is busy succumbing to the wiles of the devilish Mephistopheles, God up in heaven, surrounded by angels, remains confident that his erring servant will eventually come good.

From The Guardian • Apr. 1, 2016

The huge crouching figure of a winged Mephistopheles, and in the Hall of the Banners flags—marvels of immobile drapery—that stood out at right angles from the pillar whence they were suspended.

From The Fortunate Isles Life and Travel in Majorca, Minorca and Iviza by Boyd, Mary Stuart

Related Words

• barbarian
• ogre