demon
Translation
demon, devil, fiend
Examples
He fought his inner demons.
He fought his inner demons.
She's a demon on the tennis court.
She's a demon on the tennis court.
Grammar Patterns
((a/an + demon)) an evil spirit He believed he was possessed by a demon.
((a/an + demon + for/at sth.)) a person who is very skillful or energetic at (sth.) She's a demon for work.
Similar Words
Synonyms: devil, fiend, evil spirit; Antonyms: angel, saint
Etymology
From Greek 'daimōn' meaning 'deity, divine power, guiding spirit'. The negative connotation developed later in Christian usage.
Memory Tips
Think of a demon as a 'de-man', something less than human or inhumanly evil.