demon

demon — noun

1. In stories and some religions, a demon is a bad supernatural creature that can h

1.名詞B2
釋義

In stories and some religions, a demon is a bad supernatural creature that can harm people or take control of them.

例句

In the old story, a demon rose from the lake and terrified the villagers.

A demon had taken control of the boy, so the family called a priest.

demon + taken control of + person for possession

同義詞
  • devil

    often used interchangeably, but 'devil' tends to refer to a single chief evil figure (Satan), while 'demon' refers to many lesser evil spirits

  • evil spirit

    a broader term covering any malevolent supernatural being, not limited to the specific hierarchy of demons

反義詞
  • angel

    a good supernatural being, often shown fighting demons in religious stories

2. If you describe someone as a demon at an activity, you mean they do it with amaz

2.名詞B2
釋義

If you describe someone as a demon at an activity, you mean they do it with amazing speed, skill, or determination — for example, a coworker who types reports faster than anyone else in the office.

例句

My grandmother is a demon at knitting — she finished a sweater in one evening.

demon at [activity] for a highly skilled person

Gabriela is a demon on the squash court and almost never loses a game.

同義詞
  • wizard

    also means someone extremely skilled, but usually in intellectual or creative fields ('a math wizard')

  • whiz

    more informal and often used about young people or quick learners ('a computer whiz')

反義詞
  • beginner

    someone who is just learning and has little skill

  • amateur

    someone who does an activity without professional skill level

文法句型

demon + at + [activity/noun]

用法筆記

Commonly appears in the patterns 'demon at [activity]' and 'work like a demon'. The comparison 'like a demon' emphasises energy and speed rather than skill.

常見錯誤

❌She is a demon of cooking.
✅She is a demon at cooking.
💡Use 'at', not 'of', after 'demon' in this sense.
❌He is a demon on studying.
✅He is a demon at studying.' or 'He studies like a demon.
💡Use 'at' for the activity, or 'like a demon' to describe the manner.

3. A demon can be a person, especially a child, who behaves in a cruel, wild, or ve

3.名詞B2
釋義

A demon can be a person, especially a child, who behaves in a cruel, wild, or very bad manner.

例句

Their boy was a demon at the party — he broke a window and started a fight.

demon for a badly-behaved child (informal, often humorous)

In the film, the landlord is a demon who raises rent and throws people out.

同義詞
  • monster

    stronger and more serious than 'demon'; implies a person is inhumanly cruel

  • brat

    specifically about a badly-behaved child, but milder and less colourful than 'demon'

反義詞
  • angel

    a very kind, well-behaved person, often used about children ('their kids are little angels')

  • saint

    an extremely patient, kind, or helpful person

用法筆記

When used about children, this sense is often humorous or affectionate rather than truly harsh. When used about adults, it carries genuine disapproval.

常見錯誤

❌The dictator was a real demon.' (vague)
✅The dictator treated his people like a demon.
💡The meaning is clearer when you specify the bad behaviour.

4. A person's demons are the bad feelings, fears, or painful memories inside them t

4.名詞B2
釋義

A person's demons are the bad feelings, fears, or painful memories inside them that cause suffering or harmful behaviour.

例句

After years of therapy, Vivek finally learned to face his inner demons.

collocation: face (one's) (inner) demons

Noor struggled with her personal demons for months before calling a helpline.

同義詞
  • trauma

    a more clinical term for emotional damage from past events; 'demons' is figurative and less formal

  • struggle

    a broader term; 'demons' specifically suggests internal, emotional battles

反義詞
  • peace of mind

    a state of inner calm and freedom from worry, the opposite of being troubled by demons

文法句型

[possessive] demons

inner demons

the demons of [something]

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural ('demons') or the fixed phrase 'inner demons'. Avoid using the singular 'demon' for this sense — it sounds unnatural to native speakers.

常見錯誤

❌He is fighting his personal demon.
✅He is fighting his personal demons.
💡This sense is nearly always plural.
❌She conquered her demon of fear.
✅She conquered her demons of fear and doubt.
💡Use the plural form with multiple sources of distress.