devil's-tongue: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist / Literary
Quick answer
What does “devil's-tongue” mean?
A succulent plant (Amorphophallus konjac) native to Asia, known for its foul-smelling flower and starchy corm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A succulent plant (Amorphophallus konjac) native to Asia, known for its foul-smelling flower and starchy corm.
May refer metaphorically to a person who speaks in a malicious, slanderous, or deceptive manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The botanical term is equally rare in both variants. The metaphorical use is slightly more likely to appear in older British literary texts.
Connotations
In both variants, the plant connotes unpleasant odor and exoticism. The metaphorical use connotes malevolence and deceit.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general use. Known mainly to botanists, gardeners, or readers of older literature.
Grammar
How to Use “devil's-tongue” in a Sentence
the devil's-tongue [verb: blooms, stinks, grows]a patch of devil's-tongueknown as devil's-tongueVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts discussing the Araceae family or Asian ethnobotany.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by specialist gardeners.
Technical
Botanical synonym for Amorphophallus konjac, source of konjac glucomannan.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devil's-tongue”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “devil's-tongue”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devil's-tongue”
- Misspelling as 'devils-tongue' (missing apostrophe).
- Confusing it with 'devil's claw' (a different plant).
- Using it as a common noun instead of a proper botanical name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the processed corm (root) of the plant is used to make konjac jelly and flour, which are edible. The raw plant is not eaten.
Metaphorically and archaically, yes—it described a person who speaks wickedly or slanderously. This usage is now very rare.
They are completely different plants. Devil's-tongue is Amorphophallus konjac. Devil's claw refers to plants of the genus Harpagophytum or Proboscidea.
The name likely refers to the shape and the foul, 'hellish' odor of its flower spike (spadix), which is said to resemble a tongue.
A succulent plant (Amorphophallus konjac) native to Asia, known for its foul-smelling flower and starchy corm.
Devil's-tongue is usually specialist / literary in register.
Devil's-tongue: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdevlz ˈtʌŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdevlz ˈtʌŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “speak with a devil's-tongue (archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tongue-shaped flower so foul-smelling it must belong to a devil.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIL IS FOUL-SMELLING / MALICIOUS SPEECH IS A POISONOUS PLANT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern use of the term 'devil's-tongue'?