demons

IPA/ˈdiː.mən/
KK[dˈimənz]IPA/ˈdiː.mən/

demons — 名詞

  • demonssingular
  • demonsesplural

1. an evil supernatural creature that some people believe exists and tries to harm

1.名詞B1
釋義

惡魔；邪靈

想要傷害生物的邪惡超自然生物

an evil supernatural creature that some people believe exists and tries to harm living things

例句

The villagers believed that demons lived deep inside the dark forest near the river.

村民們相信森林深處住著惡魔，就在那條河的附近。

collocation: believe in demons / believe that demons

In the old story, the hero fights demons with a magic sword given by a wise old woman.

在那個古老的故事裡，英雄用一位智慧老婦人給的魔劍對抗惡魔。

countable: fight demons / defeat demons

同義詞
  • devil

    often used interchangeably, but 'devil' more specifically refers to the chief evil spirit (Satan), while 'demon' refers to lesser evil spirits

  • fiend

    more old-fashioned or literary; suggests a particularly cruel and violent evil spirit

  • evil spirit

    a broader, more general term that includes demons and other malevolent supernatural beings

反義詞
  • angel

    a good supernatural being that serves God and protects people

文法句型

demons + verb (plural)

demon + verb (singular)

用法筆記

This is the most common meaning, found in religious texts, folklore, horror stories, and fantasy fiction. The singular form 'demon' is used when talking about one evil spirit.

常見錯誤

❌The demons is hiding in the shadows.
✅The demons are hiding in the shadows.
💡'demons' is plural and takes a plural verb.
❌He believes demon exist.
✅He believes demons exist.
💡use the plural form when talking about these creatures in general.

2. someone who is extremely good or energetic at doing a particular activity — for

2.名詞C1
釋義

高手；猛將

在某方面極擅長或精力充沛的人

someone who is extremely good or energetic at doing a particular activity — for example, a chess player who wins almost every game, or a worker who finishes tasks much faster than others

例句

Beatrix is a demon on the chessboard and can beat almost anyone in the club.

Beatrix 是個西洋棋高手，幾乎能打敗俱樂部裡的所有人。

pattern: a demon on [activity noun]

João works like a demon when a deadline is near and never misses a delivery date.

João 在截止日前工作起來像拚命三郎，從未錯過交件日期。

idiomatic phrase: work like a demon

同義詞
  • whiz

    more informal and American; e.g. 'a math whiz'; suggests natural talent more than effort

  • expert

    more formal and neutral; lacks the energetic or enthusiastic sense of 'demon'

  • powerhouse

    emphasises energy and effectiveness; often used for a person or team in business or sports

文法句型

a demon + at + noun/gerund

a demon + on + noun

work like a demon

用法筆記

Always used with 'a' (singular) despite the headword being plural. This is a figurative, informal use. Commonly paired with 'at' (before a gerund or noun) or 'on' (before a noun representing the activity). The phrase 'like a demon' acts as an adverb describing how someone works.

常見錯誤

❌She is demon at piano.
✅She is a demon on the piano.
💡the article 'a' is required before 'demon' in this sense.
❌He is a demon of cooking.
✅He is a demon at cooking.
💡use 'at' or 'on', not 'of'.

3. a cruel, violent, or morally wicked person who causes others to suffer

3.名詞B2
釋義

惡人；壞蛋

殘酷邪惡、讓他人受苦的人

a cruel, violent, or morally wicked person who causes others to suffer

例句

The prison guard was a cold-hearted demon who showed no mercy to the frightened prisoners.

那名獄警是個冷酷的惡人，對驚恐的囚犯毫不手軟。

Andrew called his former boss a demon after finding out how he had cheated the staff out of their pay.

Andrew 在發現前老闆如何詐騙員工薪資後，稱他是個惡人。

collocation: call someone a demon

同義詞
  • monster

    similar intensity but often implies a person who is inhumanly cruel rather than literally evil

  • fiend

    stronger and more old-fashioned; suggests someone who delights in causing pain

  • villain

    more neutral and often used in fiction; does not carry the same emotional intensity

反義詞
  • saint

    a very good, kind, and patient person

  • angel

    a person who is very kind and helpful

文法句型

(a) demon + verb

用法筆記

Used as a strong insult. Unlike sense 2 (SKILLED PERSON), this sense is purely negative and compares the person's character to that of an evil supernatural being. Often appears with intensifying adjectives like 'cold-hearted', 'cruel', or 'real'.

常見錯誤

❌My little brother is a real demon' (when you mean he is naughty in a playful way).
✅My little brother is a little monster / a handful.
💡'demon' as a BAD PERSON implies genuine cruelty, not playful mischief.

4. a powerful negative emotion such as anger, jealousy, self-doubt, or guilt that t

4.名詞B2
釋義

心魔；困擾

引起焦慮或不良行為的負面情緒

a powerful negative emotion such as anger, jealousy, self-doubt, or guilt that troubles someone's mind and causes them to behave in harmful ways

例句

Greta has been fighting her inner demons ever since the car accident last winter.

自從去年冬天的車禍後，Greta 一直在對抗內心的心魔。

common collocation: inner demons / fight one's demons

Sivan's demons of jealousy slowly destroyed her closest friendships over the years.

Sivan 的忌妒心魔在多年間逐漸摧毀了她最親密的友誼。

pattern: demons of [emotion]

同義詞
  • inner struggles

    more clinical and less intense; describes the same psychological conflict without the figurative weight

  • torment

    a more general noun for severe mental or physical suffering; not specific to plural inner conflicts

  • personal battles

    broader and can include external challenges; less emotionally charged than 'demons'

反義詞
  • peace of mind

    a state of calm and contentment, free from worry or guilt

文法句型

possessive + demons

inner demons

demons + of + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form ('demons'), even when referring to one feeling. Common with possessive adjectives ('my demons', 'her demons'). The adjective 'inner' is frequently added for emphasis. This sense is figurative and metaphorical, not literal.

常見錯誤

❌He is fighting his demon of anger.
✅He is fighting his demons of anger.
💡this sense is nearly always plural, even when referring to one specific negative feeling.
❌She faced her devil.' (when meaning negative feelings)
✅She faced her demons.
💡use 'demons', not 'devil', for internal emotional struggles.