speed demon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “speed demon” mean?
A person who drives or moves at very high speeds, often recklessly or obsessively.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who drives or moves at very high speeds, often recklessly or obsessively.
Can refer to anyone exceptionally fast or enthusiastic about speed in various contexts, such as work, sports, or hobbies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; usage is similar in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it implies a love for speed, but in American English, it might be more associated with car culture.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to automotive references.
Grammar
How to Use “speed demon” in a Sentence
be a speed demondrive like a speed demonaccuse someone of being a speed demonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speed demon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He demons along the motorway at breakneck speed.
American English
- She demons down the highway like a pro.
adverb
British English
- He drove speed-demon fast through the countryside.
American English
- She types speed-demon quick on her keyboard.
adjective
British English
- He has a speed-demon attitude when cycling.
American English
- Her speed-demon approach to work is impressive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; if so, metaphorically for an employee who works very fast but may cut corners.
Academic
Not used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about driving or fast activities.
Technical
No technical usage; informal term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speed demon”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speed demon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speed demon”
- Using 'speed devil' instead of 'speed demon', or mispronouncing as 'speed dee-mon' with emphasis on 'dee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal idiom typically used in casual speech.
Yes, in some contexts it can be used admiringly to describe someone very fast or efficient, though it often implies recklessness.
It likely originates from early 20th-century automotive culture, combining 'speed' with 'demon' to imply an obsessive or dangerous love for speed.
In American English, it is pronounced /ˈspiːd ˌdiː.mən/, similar to British English.
A person who drives or moves at very high speeds, often recklessly or obsessively.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a speed demon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a demon with a need for speed, so a 'speed demon' is someone obsessed with going fast.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS A DEMON: portraying speed as a forceful, potentially destructive entity that possesses a person.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common meaning of 'speed demon'?