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blue devils

(slang, idiomatic) Low spirits; depression.

ˈblu ˈdɛvəlzCurrent120 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 26, 2026

(slang, idiomatic) Low spirits; depression.

Origin: Originally apparitions supposed to be seen by sufferers of delirium tremens. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"blue devils" means: Low spirits; depression.. This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"blue devils" means: Low spirits; depression.. Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Cluster: alcohol
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#2·Apr 26, 2026

(slang, figuratively) Depressants, especially the barbiturate amobarbital.

: "[…] the disease is either extinct, or exists in such a mild form that a short course of aperient medicine carries it off. It is sometimes called the Blue-devils now or the Mulleygrubs. Queer names, ain't they?"
Heard in the wild
  • “Blue Devils #5 Tyus Jones Royal Blue Basketball Elite Stitched NCAA Jersey #BlueDevils #SportsJersey #BasketballJersey #TyusJones #CollegeBasketball”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Blue Devils #1 Jabari Parker Black Basketball Stitched NCAA Jersey #NCAAJersey #BasketballFan #BasketballJersey #JabariParker”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

"blue devils" means: Low spirits; depression.. This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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