demon

[ dee-muhn ]

/ ˈdi mən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: demon / demons on Thesaurus.com

noun

an evil spirit; devil or fiend.

an evil passion or influence.

a person considered extremely wicked, evil, or cruel.

a person with great energy, drive, etc.: He's a demon for work.

a person, especially a child, who is very mischievous: His younger son is a real little demon.

daemon.

Australian Slang. a policeman, especially a detective.

adjective

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

possessed or controlled by a demon.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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;(def. 6) <Latin; see daemon

Words nearby demon

demolish, demolition, demolition bomb, demolition derby, demolitions, demon, demonetarize, demonetize, demoniac, demonian, demonic

Other definitions for demon (2 of 2)

demon-

variant of demono- before a vowel: demonism.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use demon in a sentence

Maxwell’s point was not that the demon was a lawbreaker, but that the second law was statistical.
Top 10 science anniversaries to celebrate in 2021|Tom Siegfried|February 3, 2021|Science News
A demon is trapped inside of Ha Ram’s body, and its strength grows as Ha Ram’s feelings for Hong Chun-Gi become stronger.
The 15 Most Anticipated Korean Dramas of 2021|Kat Moon|January 29, 2021|Time
It’s not that the team particularly loves these blood-sucking demons.
Scientists Made a Biohybrid Nose Using Cells From Mosquitoes|Shelly Fan|January 26, 2021|Singularity Hub
I own it all and this is the right response when these demons do digging.
Gab, the social network that has welcomed Qanon and extremist figures, explained|Travis Andrews|January 11, 2021|Washington Post

Huhn’s mom, Gail Fogelman, said she’s angry over Fiorica’s actions but she “doesn’t want to portray him as an evil demon.”
DNA Testing Is Unearthing Local Fertility Fraud Cases|Jared Whitlock|January 5, 2021|Voice of San Diego
No matter how much he burrows into his mind, he must face the demon of death.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While Ichabod is checking for non-existent cell service, Abbie learns that Moloch is planning to release a demon army on earth.
Naked Ben Franklin Christens the Campy Return of ‘Sleepy Hollow’|Amy Zimmerman|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What a demon, a behemoth, evil just seems to be seeping through him.
13 Celebrities Who Dissed Justin Bieber|Kevin Fallon|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He fashioned BOB, the demon spirit who lived in the Black Lodge, but such an explanation satisfied precious few of us.
‘True Detective,’ Obsessive-Compulsive Noir, and ‘Twin Peaks’|Jimmy So|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a sharp voice, Larson commanded the attention of my demon.
My $295 Skype Exorcism|Scott Bixby|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It may be noted in passing that in the three miracles in Matthew of exorcising a blinding demon the title “Son of David” is used.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
And so saying, the mis-shapen little demon set up a hideous yell, and danced upon the ground as if frantic with rage.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Tom meekly did as he was bid, but in his heart there raged the passions of a demon, and he swore Mark Grafton should die.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
In The Demon I have found some beautiful things, but a good deal of padding, too.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
"Either they or some demon changelings," answered the old man, rocking to and fro upon the mats.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa

British Dictionary definitions for demon

demon

/ (ˈdiːmən) /

noun

an evil spirit or devil

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

Also called: daemon, daimon an attendant or ministering spirit; geniusthe demon of inspiration

a person who is extremely skilful in, energetic at, or devoted to a given activity, esp a sporta demon at cycling
(as modifier)a demon cyclist

a variant spelling of daemon (def. 1)

Australian and NZ informal, archaic a detective or policeman

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

Word Origin for demon

C15: from Latin daemōn evil spirit, spirit, from Greek daimōn spirit, deity, fate; see daemon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

demon

Origin of demon

Words nearby demon

Other definitions for demon (2 of 2)

Words related to demon

How to use demon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demon

Word Origin for demon