WordGarden.iohellish
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɛlɪʃ/
US
- /ˈhɛlɪʃ/
Meanings
Adjective
extremely unpleasant, difficult, or distressing
resembling or suggesting hell
Beyond the definition
If something is hellish, it feels extremely bad, painful, or hard to deal with. It usually does not mean literally from hell, but it gives that same sense of suffering, fear, or misery. A long commute in heavy traffic could be described as hellish. So could a very hard workout, a terrible nightmare, or a day full of problems. The word is strong and emotional, so people use it for things that feel truly awful. You might talk about a boss with a "hellish temper" or a place that has become a "hellish mess."
The word hellish does not always mean literally related to hell, the place of eternal punishment. Instead, it describes something intensely unpleasant, agonizing, or extremely difficult, evoking the same feelings of torment and suffering associated with that fiery underworld. It's a powerful adjective used to emphasize just how awful something is.
Originally rooted in the idea of "hell," hellish has broadened over time to encompass any experience that feels overwhelmingly negative. A hellish journey might be a long, arduous trek through difficult terrain. A hellish week at work could involve endless meetings and impossible deadlines. A hellish noise is one that's deafeningly loud and irritating.
You'll often find it used to describe situations causing intense physical or emotional pain: "The soldiers endured a hellish battle." Or, it can highlight extreme chaos and disorder: "Cleaning up after the party was a hellish task." It's not a word you use lightly; it implies something truly dreadful and unforgettable.
So, if something feels like an unending nightmare or a tormenting ordeal, chances are it's hellish. It's a vivid way to convey just how bad things really are.
Examples
- 1
Travel delays
We got stuck in hellish traffic on the way to the airport.
- 2
Military hardship
The soldiers described the march through the swamp as hellish.
- 3
Work schedule
She has been working hellish hours since the project went wrong.
- 4
Workplace heat
The heat in the kitchen was hellish by the end of the shift.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Divorce
He went through a hellish divorce and needed time to recover.
- Patterngo through + difficult experience
experience it
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hellishadjective