Hell: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

This word was duplicated. Refer to the first entry for its context and examples.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?