Diabolical

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /daɪəˈbɑlɪkəl/

Definitions of diabolical

adjective characteristic of or resembling the devil; wicked or evil

Example Sentences

A1 The diabolical villain tried to steal the princess's tiara.

A2 The diabolical plan to sabotage the competition was foiled by the hero.

B1 The diabolical scheme to frame his rival for a crime was uncovered by the authorities.

B2 The diabolical mastermind behind the series of robberies was finally apprehended by the police.

C1 The diabolical plot to overthrow the government was discovered by intelligence agencies.

C2 The diabolical genius behind the cyber attack was able to evade capture for years.

Examples of diabolical in a Sentence

formal The criminal mastermind came up with a diabolical plan to steal the crown jewels.

informal I can't believe how diabolical that movie villain was!

slang That prank was absolutely diabolical!

figurative Her smile was diabolical, hinting at a mischievous secret.

Grammatical Forms of diabolical

past tense

diabolicalized

plural

diabolicals

comparative

more diabolical

superlative

most diabolical

present tense

diabolicalizes

future tense

will diabolicalize

perfect tense

has diabolicalized

continuous tense

is diabolicalizing

singular

diabolical

positive degree

diabolical

infinitive

to diabolicalize

gerund

diabolicalizing

participle

diabolicalized

Origin and Evolution of diabolical

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Late Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'diabolical' originated from the Late Latin word 'diabolicus', which in turn came from the Greek word 'diabolikos', meaning 'slanderous'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'diabolical' shifted from its original meaning of 'slanderous' to its current usage meaning 'devilish' or 'evil'.