asmodeus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary / Mythological / Academic
Quick answer
What does “asmodeus” mean?
A demon known as the king of demons or the demon of lust, anger, and/or jealousy in various religious and mythological traditions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A demon known as the king of demons or the demon of lust, anger, and/or jealousy in various religious and mythological traditions.
Often used as a personification of a destructive, vengeful, or highly cunning supernatural antagonist. Can appear as a stock character representing ultimate evil or diabolical trickery in literature, film, and gaming.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling, pronunciation, or core usage. Potential minor variation in familiarity based on popularity of specific source material (e.g., specific game or novel).
Connotations
Identical; evokes the same mythological/literary figure.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties. Might be slightly more common in US pop culture due to prevalence of fantasy role-playing games.
Grammar
How to Use “asmodeus” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] acted/laughed/schemed.They invoked/summoned/bound [Proper Noun].The temple was dedicated to [Proper Noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asmodeus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cult sought to Asmodeus-ise the local populace through dark rites. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The villain's plan was to Asmodeus his enemies, corrupting them from within. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He grinned Asmodeanly from the shadows. (highly literary/rare)
American English
- The contract was Asmodeanly clever, full of hidden pitfalls. (highly literary/rare)
adjective
British English
- The temple had an Asmodean atmosphere of dread and depravity.
American English
- He was known for his Asmodean cunning in business dealings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, or literature courses discussing demonology or specific texts (Book of Tobit, Talmud, The Testament of Solomon).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only in discussions of mythology, fantasy, or horror.
Technical
Used as a proper noun for entities in fantasy role-playing games (Dungeons & Dragons), video games, and related lore.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asmodeus”
- Misspelling (e.g., Asmodius, Asmodaeus).
- Using it as a common noun without capitalization (e.g., 'an asmodeus').
- Incorrect pronunciation placing stress on the first syllable (/ˈæzmədəs/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. In some traditions, Asmodeus is a high-ranking demon or king of demons, sometimes equated with or subordinate to Satan. In others, he is a distinct entity with his own myths and domains (like lust or wrath).
The name is believed to derive from Avestan (Old Iranian) 'Aēšma-daēva', meaning 'demon of wrath'. It entered Western tradition through the Jewish apocryphal Book of Tobit.
The most common pronunciation is /ˌæzməˈdiːəs/ (az-muh-DEE-us), with the primary stress on the third syllable.
It is highly unlikely you would need to, unless you are discussing mythology, religion, or fantasy genres. It is a very low-frequency, context-specific proper noun.
A demon known as the king of demons or the demon of lust, anger, and/or jealousy in various religious and mythological traditions.
Asmodeus is usually literary / mythological / academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Potential: 'an Asmodean grin' (a cunning, malicious smile).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine ASMODEUS: A Sinful Monarch Of Demons, Evil, Ugly, and Sneaky.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIL IS A PERSON (specifically, a malevolent, intelligent, powerful ruler).
Practice
Quiz
In which modern context is the name 'Asmodeus' most frequently encountered?