Cover of The Devil's Dictionary

The Devil's Dictionary

by Ambrose Bierce

First published
1912
Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"The Devil's Dictionary" by Ambrose Bierce is a satirical dictionary written over three decades and published in complete form in 1911. This lexicon offers humorous and biting definitions of common words, transforming ordinary language into sharp social commentary. Originally appearing as magazine and newspaper installments beginning in the 1870s, Bierce's witty wordplay was widely imitated and plagiarized before being collected into book form. Now considered a masterpiece of American satire, it has earned international acclaim for its brilliant, howlingly funny take on language and human nature.

  • English language
  • Vocabulary

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #972. The Devil's Dictionary on Wikipedia.

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