Phrase guide

what the Devil

intj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

intj

Meaning 1

Used to add emphasis to “what” when beginning a question.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, mildly, vulgar

Examples

  • What the Devil have you done to the horse?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English what þe devel, what devel.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: mitä pirua — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • French: que diable — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • German: was zum Teufel — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • Ido: per la diablo — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • Irish: cad é an diabhal — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • Irish: cad san diabhal — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • Romanian: ce dracu — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • Russian: како́го чёрта (kakóvo čórta) — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question
  • Russian: что за чёрт (što za čort) — used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question