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• Lucifer
  Lucifer

  noun

  a proud, rebellious archangel, identified with Satan, who fell from heaven.
• lucifer
  lucifer

  noun

  a friction match: originally a trade name for a match manufactured in England in the 19th century

Lucifer

American  

[loo-suh-fer] / ˈlu sə fər /

noun

1. a proud, rebellious archangel, identified with Satan, who fell from heaven.

2. the planet Venus when appearing as the morning star.

3. (lowercase) friction match.

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Lucifer ¹ British  

/ ˈluːsɪfə /

noun

1. the leader of the rebellion of the angels: usually identified with Satan

2. the planet Venus when it rises as the morning star

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lucifer ² British  

/ ˈluːsɪfə /

noun

1. a friction match: originally a trade name for a match manufactured in England in the 19th century

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Lucifer ¹ Cultural  

1. Another name for Satan.

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Lucifer ² Cultural  

1. A name, traditional in Christianity, for the leader of the devils, an angel who was cast from heaven into hell because he rebelled against God. Lucifer is usually identified with Satan. The name Lucifer, which means “bearer of light” or “morning star,” refers to his former splendor as the greatest of the angels.

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Etymology

Origin of Lucifer

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin: morning star, literally, light-bringing, equivalent to lūci- (stem of lūx ) light + -fer -fer

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Compare meaning

How does lucifer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Lucifer vs. Satan

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Lucifer lucifer

No wonder Dante, the Florence-born author of the “Divine Comedy,” consigned counterfeiters to the eighth circle of hell, “just one rung higher than Lucifer in the ninth.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

Luther, who has the sinister authority of a mild-mannered Lucifer in a wrinkled suit, makes to leave out of respect for Veronica’s wishes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2024

He had the word Lucifer tattooed on his chest.

From New York Times ● May 24, 2023

Members say they don't actually believe in a literal Lucifer or Hell.

From BBC ● May 19, 2023

Dad came downstairs, let Lucifer and Daisy Mae out, and found us boys clustered around the set.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

When that wind blew, the simplest of devices—from lucifer matches to lantern-slides—would no longer function.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

Having provided himself with a box of lucifer matches and a fresh candle, he placed the same implements in my possession, and started in advance.

From Caxton's Book: A Collection of Essays, Poems, Tales, and Sketches. by W. H. (William Henry) Rhodes

Thus, how incalculably, and in how many ways, have recent discoveries in chemistry enhanced human happiness, of which the lucifer match furnishes a home example.

From The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology by L. N. Fowler

The floor of the bush glimmered with dead wood, the way the match-box used to shine after you had struck a lucifer.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 17 (of 25) by Robert Louis Stevenson

Phosphorus, which is of value from its low igniting point, receives its only application in the manufacture of lucifer matches.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

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Related Words

• Satan

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