NYT Dictionary

DIABOLIC

/ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪk/
AdjectiveDI-a-bol-icdi-a-bol-ic · 4 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Of, being, or pertaining to a devil or the Devil.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ ▲ Proto-Indo-European *trísinflu. Proto-Indo-European *dwísder. Ancient Greek διά (diá) Ancient Greek δια- (dia-) Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-der. Proto-Hellenic *gʷəlnō Ancient Greek βάλλω (bállō) Ancient Greek διαβάλλω (diabállō) Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Koine Greek διαβολικός (diabolikós)bor. Late Latin diabolicusbor. Middle French diaboliquebor. Middle English diabolik English diabolic From Middle English diabolik, from Middle French diabolique, from Late Latin diabolicus, from Ancient Greek διαβολικός (diabolikós, “devilish”), from διάβολος (diábolos, “devil”). First attested in 1350–1400.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

devilishmephistopheleandemonicfiendishsatanicunholycacodaemoniacaldaemonicaldemoniacdemoniacal

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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