Lucifer

[loo-suh-fer] / ˈlu sə fər /

NOUN

satan

Synonyms

STRONGEST

Satan

STRONG

Beelzebub Mephistopheles Prince of Darkness archangel beast the devil

WEAK

diablo evil one fallen angel

Frequently Asked Questions

What are other names for Lucifer?

Lucifer is popularly used as another name for the figure known as the Devil or Satan. This figure also goes by many other names. Some of these names are literary epithets that emphasize supreme evilness, including:

Some names come from other specific figures that have also come to be synonymous with the Devil, including:

Beelzebub (aka the Lord of the Flies)
Mephistopheles

Sometimes, the Devil is called the Antichrist, though this name is more commonly used to refer to a separate Biblical figure. Very informal nicknames for the Devil that are typically used in less serious contexts include:

Not all traditions use the name Lucifer for the figure generally known as the Devil. Read about other Devil names here. The name Lucifer is also sometimes used as another name for the planet Venus. More on that in the next section.

What does the name Lucifer mean?

In Christianity, Lucifer is the name of a rebellious archangel who was cast out of heaven. The Bible does not specifically identify this angel as being the same figure as Satan. That connection was popularized by poet John Milton in his famous epic poem Paradise Lost (1667), which tells the story of the fallen angel Lucifer becoming Satan after a failed rebellion against God. The name Lucifer comes from Latin and is variously translated as “morning star” or “light bringing.” In classic mythology, Lucifer was the name of the planet Venus, which was personified as a man holding a torch.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For nearly a decade, Be Scofield, a reporter on cult movements and the author of “Hunting Lucifer: One Reporter’s Search for Cults and Demons,” has followed what she considers the New Age movement’s dark side.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

No wonder Dante, the Florence-born author of the “Divine Comedy,” consigned counterfeiters to the eighth circle of hell, “just one rung higher than Lucifer in the ninth.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

The Indian Express said "the emotional depth and dramatic weight that anchored Lucifer are largely absent in Empuraan" but praised "Mohanlal's commanding performance" and some other aspects of the film.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2025

Lucifer seemed likely to trounce broody hero Dream initially — until he asked, “What kills hope?”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2023

Ceyx, a king in Thessaly, was the son of Lucifer, the light-bearer, the star that brings in the day, and all his father’s bright gladness was in his face.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Lucifer

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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