WordGarden.ioinfernal
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnfˈɜːnəl/
US
- /ˌɪnˈfɜrnəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to hell, demons, or the underworld
extremely annoying, unpleasant, or bad
Beyond the definition
The word "infernal" first meant something connected with hell or the underworld, bringing to mind demons, fire, and dark forces. Today, though, it is often used for something that feels extremely unpleasant, irritating, or hard to deal with. An infernal traffic jam can wreck your day, and some infernal machine may seem built only to cause trouble. The word usually carries a feeling of strong annoyance.
Think of it as more than simply "bad." It feels harsh, almost devilish, and often a bit dramatic. Writers have used "infernal" for evil actions and dark places, but in everyday use it can describe a miserable chore, endless noise, or behavior that drives you mad.
The word "infernal" has roots deep in the imagery of hell itself. Derived from the Latin infernus, meaning "underworld," it originally referred to anything belonging to or originating from the abyss—demons, spirits, and the realm of the dead. This connection still lingers today, giving the word a dark, ominous, and sometimes dramatic tone.
However, the usage of "infernal" has broadened over the centuries. While it can still refer literally to hellish things ("the infernal regions"), it is more commonly used as an intensifier to describe something exceptionally unpleasant, irritating, or difficult. It's not just bad; it's exasperatingly bad, almost as if it were conjured specifically to cause suffering!
You might encounter "infernal" in descriptions of terrible weather ("an infernal storm"), suffocating bureaucracy ("the infernal red tape"), or even a person's volatile personality ("his infernal temper"). It implies a sense of relentless annoyance and powerlessness on the part of the victim.
Historically, the word was a favorite in literature to depict villains and their evil schemes—most notably in the works of Shakespeare. While less common in casual, everyday conversation than words like "terrible" or "awful," "infernal" adds a dramatic flair and emphasizes extreme negativity. It evokes strong emotions, hinting at a level of unpleasantness that feels almost supernatural. If something is truly dreadful and seems to be actively trying to ruin your spirit, it might just deserve the label "infernal."
Examples
- 1
Annoying object
I've been trying to fix this infernal printer all morning.
- Usagethis infernal ...
an annoyed, slightly old-fashioned way to describe something very frustrating
- 2
Extreme heat
By midday, the heat in the kitchen was infernal.
- 3
Literary hell
In the poem, the dead are trapped in an infernal world of fire and smoke.
- Usageinfernal world
a literary way to describe a hell-like place
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- infernal regions
- infernal powers
- infernal flames
Word family
- infernally
- inferno
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- infernaladjectivenoun