Evil
ˈiːvl
Definitions
2 meaningsProfoundly immoral and wicked.
ˈiːvl
Morally bad or wrong; wicked.
The evil queen wanted to poison Snow White.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone always doing mean or unfair things. That person or thing is evil. Like, the evil stepmother in Cinderella.
👶 For kids: When someone is very, very bad and does things that hurt others.
More Examples
He did an evil deed when he stole her purse.
The evil king ruled his people with an iron fist.
How It's Used
"The evil sorcerer cast a dark spell."
"The villain's actions were motivated by evil intentions."
The absence of good; something that causes harm, suffering, or destruction.
ˈiːvl
Profound immorality and wickedness, especially when personified as a supernatural force.
The book explored the eternal struggle between good and evil.
💡 Simply: Evil is the bad stuff in the world, like when people hurt each other or things go terribly wrong. It's the opposite of good.
👶 For kids: The opposite of good. It's like when something is very, very bad.
More Examples
She believed that evil was a force to be reckoned with.
The concept of evil is a central theme in many stories.
How It's Used
"The battle between good and evil is a central theme in many religions."
"Philosophers debate the nature and origin of evil."
Idioms & expressions
the root of all evil
The primary source of problems, especially relating to money or greed.
"Some people argue that greed is the root of all evil."
evil eye
A look believed to bring bad luck to the person at whom it is directed.
"She gave him the evil eye after he made a rude comment."
From Old English *yfel*, from Proto-Germanic *ubilaz* ('bad, wicked, harmful'), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots related to 'above, over', implying a sense of 'going beyond what is right'.
The word 'evil' has been used throughout history, often with religious and philosophical connotations, representing the antithesis of good and moral behavior. Its presence is very strong across various literary works.
Memory tip
Think of the 'devil' (evil spelled backwards except for the first letter), which is a common representation of evil.