Jekyll and Hyde

American  

[jek-uhl, jee-kuhl] / ˈdʒɛk əl, ˈdʒi kəl /

noun

1. a person marked by dual personality, one aspect of which is good and the other bad.

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Jekyll and Hyde British  

/ ˈdʒɛkəl, haɪd /

noun

1. 1. a person with two distinct personalities, one good, the other evil

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality

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Jekyll and Hyde Idioms  

1. A personality alternating between good and evil behavior, as in You never know whether Bob will be a Jekyll or a Hyde. This expression comes from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). Also see lead a double life.

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Etymology

Origin of Jekyll and Hyde

After the protagonist of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Jekyll and Hyde

"David could be a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character," said John Duff, a local councillor and former police superintendent, who was born and grew up in Aberfeldy.

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026

"I now know what people mean when they say Tottenham are like Jekyll and Hyde," said former Stoke boss Tony Pulis on BBC Radio 5 Live.

From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2024

But it’s the Jekyll and Hyde manner those shots have been compiled — something McCann alluded to — that’s been perplexing in its inconsistency.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 12, 2023

It’s a durable trope that’s worked from Jekyll and Hyde to Kirk and Khan, but Heller is less invested in identifying winners and losers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2023

It is like being taught by Jekyll and Hyde.

From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie