Hell: meaning, definitions and examples

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hell

[hel ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

place of punishment

Hell is often described as a place of eternal punishment in many religious beliefs. It is believed to be a place where sinners go after death to suffer for their sins.

Synonyms

Hades, inferno, underworld.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hell	Similar to 'hell', used to describe a place of eternal punishment in a religious sense or unbearable situations. The wicked were believed to burn forever in hell. Studying for exams was absolute hell.
underworld	Can refer to a mythological realm of the dead or, in a modern sense, to the world of organized crime and illegal activities. Hades was the god of the underworld in Greek mythology. The police are cracking down on the city's criminal underworld.
Hades	Refers specifically to the ancient Greek god of the underworld as well as the mythological underworld itself. It is used in literature or discussions about Greek mythology. According to mythology, Hades ruled over the dead. The story tells of Orpheus' journey into Hades to retrieve his lost love.
inferno	Typically used to describe a massive, uncontrollable fire or, metaphorically, an intense, chaotic situation. It has connotations of danger and destruction. The forest fire quickly turned into an inferno. After the scandal broke, the office was an inferno of gossip.

Examples of usage

According to some religions, those who commit evil deeds will end up in hell.
In Dante's Inferno, the poet describes the nine circles of hell where sinners are punished.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

intense heat or fire

Hell can also refer to a state of extreme heat or fire. It is used metaphorically to describe very hot or uncomfortable conditions.

Synonyms

blaze, inferno, scorching.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hell	This word was duplicated. Refer to the first entry for its context and examples.
inferno	Used to describe a very large and dangerous fire. It can also metaphorically describe a situation involving great destruction or chaos. The forest fire turned into a raging inferno. The battle turned the city into an inferno of destruction.
blaze	Describes a large, intense fire. It can also be used metaphorically to denote intense activity or emotion. The firefighters struggled to put out the blaze. Her eyes blazed with anger.
scorching	Used to describe extreme heat or to emphasize intense criticism or anger. It can have both literal and metaphorical applications. The scorching summer heat was unbearable. He gave her a scorching look of disdain.

Examples of usage

The desert was like hell, with the scorching sun beating down on us.
The kitchen felt like hell with all the ovens running at full blast.

^{Context #3 | Interjection}

expressing strong emotions

Hell can be used as an interjection to express strong emotions such as anger, frustration, or surprise.

Synonyms

damn, darn, heck.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hell	This word is often used to express strong emotions, such as anger, frustration, or surprise. It can also mean a place of great suffering and punishment in religious beliefs. Its use is generally informal and can be considered offensive. What the hell are you doing? Go to hell! War is hell.
damn	This is used to express anger, surprise, or disappointment. It is also informal and often considered offensive. Additionally, 'damn' can be used to emphasize something. Damn, I missed the bus! Damn it! This is a damn good pie.
darn	A mild version of 'damn', 'darn' is used in less formal settings and is not generally considered offensive. It is often used to express frustration or slight annoyance. Oh, darn! I lost my keys. Darn it! Well, that’s a darn shame.
heck	This is a very mild exclamation used in place of 'hell'. It is suitable for use in informal situations where stronger language is not acceptable. It is not considered offensive. What the heck are you thinking? Heck, I’ll give it a try. What the heck is going on here?

Examples of usage

Hell! I can't believe you did that!
Where the hell did I put my keys?

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'hell' comes from Old English 'hel', which was related to the word 'to hide'.
In Proto-Germanic, there was a similar word '*haljo', linked to the concept of the underworld.
Its usage has evolved through the centuries, but it generally signifies a realm of punishment or the afterlife.

Religious Beliefs

In Christianity, hell is often portrayed as a place of eternal fire and torment for the wicked.
In some religions, hell is not eternal but a temporary state for purification before entering a more peaceful afterlife.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess Ammut was said to devour the hearts of the unworthy, which is similar to the concept of hell.

Literature

Dante Alighieri's 'Inferno' describes various circles of hell, each corresponding to different sins and punishments.
John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' explores the fall of Satan and offers a profound reflection on the nature of hell and its inhabitants.
Many modern authors use hell as a metaphor for internal struggles or emotional pain, representing extreme conflict.

Pop Culture

Hell has been depicted in numerous movies and video games, often highlighting themes of redemption or punishment.
The phrase 'go to hell' is commonly used in popular culture to express anger or dismissal towards someone.
In television series, such as 'Supernatural', hell is reimagined as a complex realm with various characters and lore.

Psychology

The fear of hell, also known as 'hell anxiety', can affect individuals' mental health, prompting fear of divine punishment.
Many psychologists associate the concept of hell with guilt and moral responsibility, influencing behavior.
Studies show that beliefs about hell can impact ethical decision-making, with some individuals adjusting their behaviors to avoid punishment.

Translations

Translations of the word "hell" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inferno

🇮🇳 नरक

🇩🇪 Hölle

🇮🇩 neraka

🇺🇦 пекло

🇵🇱 piekło

🇯🇵 地獄 (じごく)

🇫🇷 enfer

🇪🇸 infierno

🇹🇷 cehennem

🇰🇷 지옥

🇸🇦 جحيم

🇨🇿 peklo

🇸🇰 peklo

🇨🇳 地狱 (dìyù)

🇸🇮 pekel

🇮🇸 helvíti

🇰🇿 тозақ

🇬🇪 ჯოჯოხეთი

🇦🇿 cəehənnəm

🇲🇽 infierno

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,348, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3345 interactions
3346 appreciate
3347 warning
3348 hell
3349 achievement
3350 awareness
3351 beat
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