B2adjective1K

Evil

UK /["/ˈiːvl//ˈiːvɪl/"]/US /["/ˈiːvl/"]/

Definition

enjoying harming others; morally bad and cruel

In simple words: Very bad or harmful; morally wrong.

Examples

  • The story features an evil villain who tries to take over the world.
  • In folklore, many cultures depict evil spirits that haunt the living.
  • She has an evil laugh that sends shivers down your spine.
  • The movie explores the struggle between good and evil forces.
  • He made an evil choice that affected the lives of many people.

Usage notes

Used to describe something or someone that causes harm or has bad intentions. Can be used in both serious and playful contexts, but be cautious using it in serious discussions to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'Evil' as 'even' turned backwards; picture someone doing something bad and getting even.

Collocations

  • be
  • look
  • seem
  • particularly
  • really
  • truly

Synonyms

  • malevolent
  • wicked
  • sinister
  • nefarious
  • immoral

Antonyms

  • good
  • kind
  • virtuous

Common mistakes

  • 'Evil' is often confused with 'mean' or 'bad', but it suggests a deeper moral wrongdoing.
  • Learners might say 'evilness', which is less common than 'evilness' or just 'evil'.