maligno
“maligno” means “evil” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
evil, wicked
Also: malicious
📝 In Action
El villano de la película tenía un plan maligno.
A2The movie villain had an evil plan.
Había una presencia maligna en la vieja casa abandonada.
B1There was an evil presence in the old abandoned house.
No te dejes llevar por esos pensamientos malignos.
B2Don't let yourself be carried away by those wicked thoughts.
malignant
Also: harmful
📝 In Action
Los resultados mostraron que el tumor no era maligno.
B2The results showed that the tumor was not malignant.
Es una forma maligna de la enfermedad.
C1It is a malignant form of the disease.
El cirujano extirpó el tejido maligno con éxito.
C2The surgeon successfully removed the malignant tissue.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: maligno
Question 1 of 3
If a doctor says a growth is 'maligno', is that good news?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'malignus,' which is a combination of 'malus' (bad) and the root of 'gignere' (to beget or produce). It literally means 'born to be bad' or 'producing evil.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'maligno' the same as 'malo'?
Not quite. 'Malo' is a general word for 'bad'. 'Maligno' is much stronger, implying deep evil, supernatural harm, or a life-threatening medical condition.
Can I use 'maligno' to describe a naughty child?
No, that would sound way too intense! For a naughty child, use 'travieso' or simply 'malo'. Using 'maligno' would suggest the child is literally demonic.
Is 'el maligno' used to mean the Devil?
Yes, in religious contexts, 'el Maligno' is a common way to refer to the Devil (Satan) without saying his name.