evil

/ˈē-vəl/

Middle English, from Old English yfel; akin to Old High German ubil evil

adjective

  1. morally reprehensible : sinful, wicked

  2. arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct

  3. inferior

an evil impulse

a person of evil reputation

noun

  1. the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing

  2. a cosmic evil force

  3. something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity

adverb

  1. in an evil manner