How Do You Spell DIABOLICAL?

Pronunciation: [dˌa͡ɪəbˈɒlɪkə͡l] (IPA)

The word "diabolical" is often misspelled due to its complex pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl/. The "di" in "diabolical" is pronounced as "dai" and the "o" can also be pronounced as "ah" or "uh". The "c" is pronounced as "k" and not "s", which is a common mistake. The stress is on the second syllable, making it "dai-uh-BOL-i-kul". By understanding the correct IPA phonetic transcription, one can avoid misspelling this challenging word.

DIABOLICAL Meaning and Definition

  1. Diabolical is an adjective that is used to describe something or someone that is wicked, evil, or devilish in nature or behavior. It typically connotes a sense of extreme cruelty, malicious intent, or deceitfulness.

    A diabolical person is one who poses a serious threat or harm to others, often exhibiting a complete disregard for moral or ethical principles. They may engage in manipulative or conniving behavior to achieve their malicious objectives, showing no remorse for the harm they cause. Such individuals are often seen as possessing a malevolent or sinister character, capable of orchestrating and executing diabolical plans.

    In a broader sense, the term diabolical can also describe actions, situations, or phenomena that are extraordinarily evil, corrupting, or catastrophic in nature. It suggests a level of sheer wickedness that is beyond ordinary comprehension, hailing back to its etymological roots in the concept of the devil or Satan.

    The word diabolical can also be used metaphorically to denote something that is excessively troublesome, maliciously difficult, or fiendishly complex. In this context, it implies a level of extreme difficulty or complexity that seems almost impossible to overcome or understand.

    Overall, diabolical is a word that carries a heavy and sinister connotation, reserved for describing those who embody evil or for occurrences that involve extreme wickedness, malevolence, or complexity.

  2. Devilish; extremely malicious; atrocious.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DIABOLICAL *

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for DIABOLICAL

Etymology of DIABOLICAL

The word diabolical originates from the Late Latin word diabolicus, which in turn derives from the Greek word diabolos. Diabolos translates to slanderer or accuser and comes from the root words dia meaning through or across and ballein meaning to throw. In Greek mythology, diabolos referred to the Devil or Satan. Over time, the term evolved to describe something wicked, evil, or devilish, leading to the modern meaning of diabolical.

Similar spelling words for DIABOLICAL

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