demon
demon Lexical Profile
demon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An evil, malevolent supernatural spirit or devil, traditionally depicted in religion, folklore, and mythology as a tormentor of humans and an inhabitant of hell.
"Ancient folktales often blamed sudden illnesses on the work of an unseen demon."
A persistent, tormenting inner struggle, destructive habit, or source of deep emotional anxiety (usually used in the plural).
"Throughout his memoir, the author candidly confronts the personal demons that nearly derailed his career."
A person who acts with extraordinary energy, fierce determination, or remarkable skill in a specified activity.
"She is an absolute demon for work when a major publication deadline is approaching."
Word Nuance & Usage
The variant spelling 'daemon' is reserved for classical Greek mythology (where it denotes an attendant spirit or lesser deity that is not inherently evil) and in computing (for a background process), whereas 'demon' carries negative, malevolent connotations.
• Rhymes for demon
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French or Late Latin from the Ancient Greek 'daimon', meaning a deity, divine power, or lesser spirit. In early Christian translations of the Bible, the Greek word was used to render Hebrew terms for idols and unclean spirits, shifting its meaning toward a malevolent infernal being.