Etymology Map
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Devil

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the supreme spirit of evil; a mischievous person

Where does the word "devil" come from? It comes from Greek diabolos, passing through Late Latin and Old English before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
diabolos
Greek · ancient
"slanderer, accuser"
from 'diaballein', to throw across, to slander; used to translate Hebrew 'satan', adversary
2
Stage 2 of 4
diabolus
Late Latin · ancient
"the devil"
the Latin Bible's word for Satan
3
Stage 3 of 4
deofol
Old English · medieval
"devil"
brought by early missionaries
4
Stage 4 of 4
devil
English · 1300s
"evil spirit"
'diabolical' comes from the same Greek word
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Read the full story

Devil’s story begins in Greek: diabolos meant “slanderer, accuser.” From 'diaballein', to throw across, to slander; used to translate Hebrew 'satan', adversary. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as diabolus. The Latin Bible's word for Satan. From there it passed into Old English as deofol by medieval. Brought by early missionaries. It reached English by 1300s as devil. 'diabolical' comes from the same Greek word. Today, devil means the supreme spirit of evil; a mischievous person.