diabolical

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++di·a·bol·i·cal /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl◂ $ -ˈbɑː-/ adjective 1 (also diabolic /ˌdaɪəˈbɒ◂lɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/)CRUELBAD BEHAVIOUR OR ACTIONS evil or cruel 邪恶的，毒辣的 diabolical abuse 残酷的虐待2 BAD AT British English informal extremely unpleasant or bad 很坏的，糟透的 The toilets were in a diabolical state. 厕所的情况糟透了。 —diabolically /-kli/ adverb

Examples from the Corpus

diabolical• Even if your memory starts functioning by then the forecast is diabolical.• Unfortunately, the animated sequence is diabolical.• The dust is diabolical - at one stage you could be fired for using a sweeping brush and not a vacuum.• She does not succeed in persuasively outing the Don Juan / Superman with his diabolical red beard and Jaeger wool suits.• a diabolical serial killer• Sometime after her acceptance, she exhibited signs of her former diabolical symptoms.• The 1955 original was a triumph of atmosphere, character, diabolical wit and outright scare-you-silly shock tactics.Origin diabolical (1300-1400) French diabolique, from Greek diabolos “devil”

di·a·bol·i·cal adjectiveChineseSyllable

or cruel Corpus evil

diabolical
di‧a‧bol‧i‧cal /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl◂ $ -ˈbɑː-/

adjective

Date: 1300-1400
Language: French
Origin: diabolique, from Greek diabolos 'devil'

1. (also di‧a‧bol‧ic /ˌdaɪəˈbɒ◂lɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/) evil or cruel:

diabolical abuse
2. British English informal extremely unpleasant or bad:

The toilets were in a diabolical state.
—diabolically /-kli/ adverb

THESAURUS

   ▪ terrible/awful (also dreadful especially British English) very bad: The journey was terrible – it took six hours. | The food was good but we had terrible service. | It’s such an awful programme! How can you watch it? | He looked dreadful.
   ▪ horrible very bad and unpleasant – used especially when something has a strong effect on you and you feel shocked, annoyed, or sick: This soup tastes horrible. | I got a horrible shock when I saw the bill. | a horrible accident | a horrible thing to say to someone
   ▪ appalling terrible – especially in a way that is shocking. Appalling is stronger and a little more formal than terrible or horrible: The refugees are living in appalling conditions. | The teacher said my handwriting was appalling.
   ▪ disgusting terrible – used about a taste, smell, habit etc, often one that makes you feel sick: The smell was disgusting and I had to go out. | Do you have to bite your nails? It’s a disgusting habit.
   ▪ lousy informal terrible – used especially to express annoyance: I’ve had a lousy day at the office. | This area is a lousy place to live.
   ▪ hopeless very bad and difficult – used when there is no chance of success or improvement: We were trying to pay off our debts but it was a hopeless situation. | He was given the almost hopeless task of trying to negotiate a ceasefire.
   ▪ diabolical British English extremely bad – used to express great disapproval of an action or event: The prices are diabolical. | a diabolical waste of money | McAndrew gave a diabolical performance on Saturday.

dia·bol·ical

BrE

/ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkl/

🔊

NAmE

/ˌdaɪəˈbɑːlɪkl/

🔊

adjective

(

informal,

especially BrE

)