hell
/hɛl/ · hell
noun
- In many religions, a place of eternal fire and suffering where the wicked are punished after death. He feared that his sins would condemn him to hell.
- A state or condition of great difficulty, misery, or distress. She went through a financial hell after losing her job.
- Used in informal expressions to intensify a question or statement, often implying surprise or disbelief. What the hell are you doing?
interjection
- An exclamation of anger, frustration, or surprise. Hell! I forgot my keys again.
- A mild oath used to emphasize a statement. That was a hell of a performance.
Did you know? The word “hell” appears as a place name in several countries, most famously in the Norwegian village of Hell, where tourists love to photograph the sign reading “Hell – Gods‑Expedition.”