demon

¹ American  

[dee-muhn] / ˈdi mən /

noun

1. an evil spirit; devil or fiend.

2. an evil passion or influence.

3. a person considered extremely wicked, evil, or cruel.

4. a person with great energy, drive, etc..

   He's a demon for work.

5. a person, especially a child, who is very mischievous.

   His younger son is a real little demon.

6. daemon.

7. Australian Slang. a policeman, especially a detective.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or noting a demon.

2. possessed or controlled by a demon.

demon- ² American  

1. variant of demono- before a vowel.

   demonism.

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demon British  

/ ˈdiːmən /

noun

1. an evil spirit or devil

2. a person, habit, obsession, etc, thought of as evil, cruel, or persistently tormenting

3. Also called: daemon.   daimon.  an attendant or ministering spirit; genius

   the demon of inspiration

4. 1. a person who is extremely skilful in, energetic at, or devoted to a given activity, esp a sport

      a demon at cycling

   2. ( as modifier )

      a demon cyclist

5. a variant spelling of daemon

6. informal a detective or policeman

7. computing a part of a computer program, such as a help facility, that can run in the background behind the current task or application, and which will only begin to work when certain conditions are met or when it is specifically invoked

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Usage

What does demon- mean? Demon- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “demon.” It is used in a few technical terms, especially in theology.Demon- comes from the Greek daimónion, meaning “thing of divine nature” and ultimate source of the English word demon. Among Jewish and Christian writers, daimónion was used to mean “evil spirit.”Demon- is a variant of demono-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.Want to know more? Read our Words That Use demono- article.

Etymology

Origin of demon

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin daemonium < Greek daimónion, thing of divine nature (in Jewish and Christian writers, evil spirit), neuter of daimónios, derivative of daímōn; demon ( def. 6 ) < Latin; daemon

Example Sentences

Similarly, young people on social media are drawn to tales of demon possession, even if they might not align with the politics of the people who are making this stuff up.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

The original film follows main characters Rumi, Mira and Zoey from the K-pop group Huntr/x as they grapple with fame and their secret lives as demon hunters.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

“I was helpless because I was fighting a demon bigger than the both of us,” Zagaroli says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

It featured a young couple terrorized by a demon in their new home, and was seemingly cut together out of footage the husband filmed on a camcorder in the house.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025

The crow demon thrashed his wings and squawked as the god's jaw cracked open wider and wider.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• fiend
• malignant spirit
• monster
• vampire
• villain