diabhal
/ˈdʲiəl̪ˠ/masculine
The Irish word for "devil" is diabhal.
diabhal is used to refer to an evil creature. It is also used as a name to refer to the chief devil.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
diabhal is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdʲiəl̪ˠ/
Did you know?
- The Irish diabhal shares an ancient root with the Greek word 'diábolos', which literally means 'a slanderer' or 'one who casts through'.
- Despite its heavy religious connotations, the word 'diabhal' can occasionally appear in traditional Irish music to describe a person who is a clever rogue or a trickster.
- In Irish folklore, the púca is a shape-shifting creature often confused with the diabhal but is more of a mischievous prankster than a purely evil entity.
Examples in context
- Ní é an diabhal é.He is not the devil.
- Tá an diabhal sa scéal.There is the devil in the story.
Example conversation
Cian and Siobhán are discussing a scary movie.
- CianAn bhfuil diabhal sa scannán?Is there a devil in the movie?
- SiobhánTá, agus tá sé an-uafásach.Yes, and he is terrible.
- CianNí mór an diabhal a chloí.The devil must be banished.
- SiobhánTá tú ceart, a Chian.You are right, Cian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries diabhal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diabhal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
