First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
hell
noun \ˈhel\
: the place where the devil lives and where evil people go after they die according to some religions
: a very difficult or unpleasant situation or experience
—used to express anger, annoyance, etc.
Full Definition of HELL
1
2
a : a place or state of misery, torment, or wickedness <war is hell — W. T. Sherman> b : a place or state of turmoil or destruction <all hell broke loose> c : a severe scolding; also : flak, grief <gave me hell for coming in late> d : unrestrained fun or sportiveness <the kids were full of hell> —often used in the phrase for the hell of it especially to suggest action on impulse or without a serious motive <decided to go for the hell of it> e : an extremely unpleasant and often inescapable situation <rush-hour hell>
3
archaic : a tailor's receptacle
4
—used as an interjection <hell, I don't know!> or as an intensive <hurts like hell> <funny as hell> ; often used in the phrase hell of a <it was one hell of a good fight> or hell out of <scared the hell out of him> or with the or in <moved way the hell up north> <what in hell is wrong, now?>
— from hell
: being the worst or most dreadful of its kind
— hell on
: very hard on or destructive to <the constant traveling is hell on your digestive system>
— hell or high water
: difficulties of whatever kind or size <will stand by her convictions come hell or high water>
— hell to pay
: dire consequences <if he's late there'll be hell to pay>
— what the hell
—used interjectionally to express a lack of concern about consequences or risks <it might cost him half his estate … but what the hell — N. W. Aldrich b1935>
See hell defined for English-language learners
See hell defined for kids
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Origin of HELL
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English helan to conceal, Old High German helan, Latin celare, Greek kalyptein
Related to HELL
- Synonyms
- Gehenna, Pandemonium, perdition, Tophet
- Antonyms
- bliss, elysian fields, Elysium, empyrean, heaven, kingdom come, New Jerusalem, paradise, sky, Zion (also Sion)
HELL Defined for Kids
hell
noun \ˈhel\
Definition of HELL for Kids
1
: a place where evil people are believed in some religions to suffer after death
2
: a place or state of misery or wickedness <After the injury, life was hell.>
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