Meaning & use

Faust

proper noun·Advanced

A legendary figure who trades his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and worldly power.

See it in a sentence

The legend of Faust has inspired operas, plays, and novels for centuries.

Critics compared the ambitious executive to Faust, willing to sacrifice everything for success.

A note on using this word

Faust is best known from Goethe's drama, and the adjective Faustian now describes any bargain that trades morals for gain.

Words with a similar meaning

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