Pronunciation: [dˈɛvɪlɪʃli] (IPA) 
The word "devilishly" is spelled with two syllables. The first syllable, "dev," is pronounced with a short "e" sound as in "dell." The second syllable, "ilishly," is pronounced with a long "i" sound as in "eye" and a short "sh" sound as in "wish." The IPA phonetic transcription for the word is /'dɛv.ɪl.ɪʃ.li/. The definition of the word is "in an extremely wicked or cruel manner."
Devilishly is an adverb that describes an action, behavior, or quality that is characterized by wickedness, mischief, or clever deception. It implies the presence of a devilish or diabolic nature in the subject at hand. The term is commonly used to convey an extreme degree or intensity of a particular trait or characteristic, often with a negative or morally objectionable connotation.
In a literal sense, devilishly refers to actions or behaviors that are evocative of the devil or demons. This includes actions that are mischievous, sly, or with ill intent. For example, a devious plan that is cunningly devised to cause harm might be described as devilishly clever.
In a figurative sense, devilishly often describes something that is remarkably difficult or challenging. For instance, a complex puzzle that requires great skill and ingenuity to solve may be referred to as devilishly difficult.
Moreover, devilishly can also express admiration or fascination with a certain quality that is considered distinctive, exceptional, or extraordinary. For example, someone might describe a deliciously spicy dish as devilishly good.
Overall, devilishly is employed to emphasize and intensify a specific characteristic or action, often associated with the dark and supernatural realm. It is a versatile term that can be both derogatory and approving, depending on the context in which it is used.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "devilishly" originated from the Middle English word "devylisch" (around the 14th century) which means "infernal" or "pertaining to the devil". It is derived from the Old English word "deofol" or "dufel" meaning "devil". In Old English, the suffix "-lich" was added to form adverbs, therefore "devilisch" meant "like a devil" or "in a devilish manner". Over time, the spelling evolved to the modern form "devilishly" while retaining a similar meaning.
