demon
noun
an evil spirit; devil or fiend.
demon
1 American
[dee-muhn]
/ ˈdi mən /
noun
-
demons
plural
-
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.
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Australian Slang. a policeman, especially a detective.
adjective
-
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or noting a demon.
-
possessed or controlled by a demon.
demon-
2
American
demon
British
/ 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; genius
the demon of inspiration
-
-
a person who is extremely skilful in, energetic at, or devoted to a given activity, esp a sport
a demon at cycling
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( as modifier )
a demon cyclist
-
-
a variant spelling of daemon
-
informal 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
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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; see daemon
Explanation
A demon is an evil, mythical monster or spirit. Stories about demons are featured in a variety of different religious traditions. You might come across a demon in a supernatural fairy tale, or even in the Christian Bible. Demons are often interchangeable with devils, and both words are sometimes used to talk about a cruel, fiendish person. If you're extremely good at something, you also might be described as a demon: "She's a demon at bowling." The Greek root, daimon, doesn't have the same negative connotations — it means "spirit or deity."
Vocabulary lists containing demon
The House of Hades
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"Making Faces"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
At Clifton’s in downtown Los Angeles, a Halloween wedding is taking place, a courtship between a woman and a demon lord.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
The door closes behind him as a demon yells, “Coffee break’s over! Back on your heads!”
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
The festival coincides with Vijayadashami, celebrated in eastern, southern and other parts of India, to honour goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
Ms. Indiana’s descriptions are clipped and sardonic, fitting for the perspective of a demon who has seen every vice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
“You’ve never met them before? Never saw them at the demon nightclub, or...”
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
“Supernatural,” the demon- and monster-hunting drama that will not die, is back for the 13th season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2017
Kyle Green of Wasilla got $49,300 to build a demon- stration solar house suitable for northern latitudes.
From Time Magazine Archive
As a divine student he unfolded God to man, illustrating and demon- 117:18 strating Life and Truth in himself and by his power over the sick and sinning.
From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
It crowned the demon- 243:9 strations of Jesus with unsurpassed power and love.
From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
The main purpose To-day the healing power of Truth is widely demon- strated as an immanent, eternal Science, instead of a 150:6 phenomenal exhibition.
From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
“We call it a dimensional tuner. You can look at higher frequencies and see if there’s any fae spirits around, or down-tune it and see if there’s any undead spirits or demons around.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
For all of his flippant humour, Blunt's demons are real.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
The resulting movie, which opens in US theaters on Friday, promises to take audiences into the Further -- and bring back the demons who live there.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
But in “Event Horizon,” Neill avoids hokeyness in what could otherwise be an extremely hokey film, finding the emotional center in a character whose inner demons become real-life manifestations of Hell.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
Other demons ran up to help force the meal down.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
