evil: Meaning and Definition of
e•vil
Pronunciation: (ē'vul), [key]
— adj.
- morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked: evil deeds; an evil life.
- harmful; injurious: evil laws.
- characterized or accompanied by misfortune or suffering; unfortunate; disastrous: to be fallen on evil days.
- due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character: an evil reputation.
- marked by anger, irritability, irascibility, etc.: He is known for his evil disposition.
- the devil; Satan.
—n.
- that which is evil; evil quality, intention, or conduct: to choose the lesser of two evils.
- the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin.
- the wicked or immoral part of someone or something: The evil in his nature has destroyed the good.
- harm; mischief; misfortune: to wish one evil.
- anything causing injury or harm: Tobacco is considered by some to be an evil.
- a harmful aspect, effect, or consequence: the evils of alcohol.
- a disease, as king's evil.
—adv.
- in an evil manner; badly; ill: It went evil with him.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.