hell
Other forms: hells
Hell is a terrible state or place of pain, suffering, and misery. If you're religious, you might believe in hell as a place where bad people go after they die.
Even if you don't subscribe to a religion that includes a concept of eternal hell for evil or blasphemous people, you might use the word to describe a terrible place or situation. Someone who's suffered an agonizing ordeal might say, "I've been through hell." The phrase "when hell freezes over" basically means "never," since hell is famous for its reputation as burning with infinite fire.
Definitions of hell
-
any place of pain and turmoil
-
violent and excited activity
-
noisy and unrestrained mischief
-
synonyms:
blaze
-
type of:
-
devilment, devilry, deviltry, mischief, mischief-making, mischievousness, rascality, roguery, roguishness, shenanigan
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
-
devilment, devilry, deviltry, mischief, mischief-making, mischievousness, rascality, roguery, roguishness, shenanigan
-
a cause of difficulty and suffering
Pronunciation
US
/hɛl/
UK
/hɛl/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘hell'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Look up hell for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
