Alternative spellings

• daemon, dæmon (these spellings are generally only found for the senses of inner spirit and divinity of Greek mythology)

Noun

Singular demon

Plural demons

demon (plural demons)

1. An evil spirit.
2. A fallen angel or Satanic divinity; a false god.
3. One’s inner spirit or genius, a daimon.
4. (Greek mythology) A spirit or lesser divinity between men and gods.
5. A foible; a flaw in a person’s character.

   The demon of stupidity haunts me whenever I open my mouth.

6. Someone of remarkable or diabolical energy or ability.

   He’s a demon at the card tables.

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:ghost

Related terms

• demonic
• demonize
• demoness

In religion and mythology, occultism and folklore, a demon (or daemon, daimon; from Greek δαίμων daimôn) is a supernatural being that is generally described as a malevolent spirit. However, the original meaning of the word daemon does not carry any negative connotations, which were later projected onto it as Christianity spread.

In Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the derived Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism. Western occultism and Renaissance magic, which grew out of an amalgamation of pagan Greco-Roman, Jewish and Christian tradition, a demon is considered a spiritual entity that may be conjured and controlled.