French Conversation · Level 188
15 words
French word
maléfique
Pronunciation
IPA/malefik/
Meaning
- adjectiveevil
Example
Un sourire maléfique a effrayé les enfants.
An evil smile frightened the children.
More examples
La rumeur disait qu'il était une personne maléfique.
The rumor said that he was an evil person.
Core concept
A person, power, or act surrounded by an evil force that causes harm or fear.
Common phrases
personne maléfique
evil person
regard maléfique
evil look
Similar words
malveillant: Intending harm toward others out of malice.
néfaste: Causing harm through damaging effects or consequences.
sinistre: Having an eerie, ominous appearance or atmosphere.
Definition in French
Qui provoque du mal ou du tort et exerce une influence néfaste, souvent associé à des forces ou des actes perçus comme moralement mauvais ou surnaturels.
Word origin
The adjective maléfique is a learned French continuation of Latin maleficus, an adjective for something connected with evil-doing.
Usage tips
- Maléfique often sounds dramatic or supernatural in French; malveillant usually fits a malicious person, while nocif fits an ordinary harmful thing.
Other meanings
- malevolentadjective
- harmfuladjective
Opposites
- bienveillantbenevolentadjective