
The Devil's Dictionary
- 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.
More free books by Ambrose Bierce
About Ambrose BierceThe Damned Thing
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Can Such Things Be?
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02
Write It Right
Fantastic Fables
Shapes of Clay
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce, With a Memoir by George Sterling
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 08
Black Beetles in Amber
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 01
The Shadow On The Dial, and Other Essays











