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hell

n. · interj. · v.
US //ˈhɛɫ// UK //hˈɛl// hell
  1. 1 place of punishment (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Religion

    in some religions, the place where bad people are punished after they die.

    the place or state of punishment for the wicked after death in various religious traditions.

    Example

    The preacher spoke about the difference between heaven and hell.

    Example

    Dante's Inferno provides a vivid and structured literary depiction of hell, categorising various sins into specific circles of punishment.
  2. 2 suffering in life (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a very unpleasant or painful situation in real life.

    a state or place of great suffering, misery, or unhappiness.

    Example

    The last few weeks of the project were absolute hell because of the deadlines.

    Example

    Living in a war zone was a living hell for the civilians who were unable to escape the constant shelling.
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  1. 3 intensifier (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Vulgar

    used in phrases like 'what the hell' to show you are surprised, angry, or don't care.

    used as an intensifier in various idiomatic constructions to express anger, disgust, or emphasis.

    Example

    What the hell are you doing with my car?

    Example

    He wondered where the hell he had left his passport after searching every drawer in the house twice.

    Usage

    Often follows 'wh-' question words like 'what', 'where', or 'who'.

    Teacher's tip

    While common in movies, this can be offensive in professional or polite settings; 'heck' is a milder alternative.
  2. 4 expression of anger (interj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Vulgar

    a word you shout when you are annoyed or frustrated.

    an exclamation used to express irritation, disappointment, or surprise.

    Example

    Oh hell, I've forgotten my keys again.

    Example

    Hell, I didn't expect the repairs to be that expensive.

    Teacher's tip

    In many modern contexts, this is considered a mild swear word, but it should still be avoided in formal speech.
  3. 5 to move fast (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Slang

    to move or drive very quickly and often dangerously.

    to move at high speed, often in a reckless or noisy manner.

    Example

    The motorbike went helling down the street in the middle of the night.

    Example

    The teenagers spent the evening helling around the car park in their modified hatchbacks.

    Usage

    Usually followed by a preposition of direction like 'down' or 'around'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English helle, from Old English hell, from Proto-West Germanic hallju, from Proto-Germanic haljō (“concealed place, netherworld”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel- (“to cover, conceal, save”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Hälle (“hell”), West Frisian hel (“hell”), Dutch hel (“hell”), German Low German Hell (“hell”), German Hölle (“hell”), Norwegian helvete (“hell”), Icelandic hel (“the abode of the dead, death”). Also related to the Hel of Germanic mythology. See also hele.

Etymology 2

From German hellen ("to brighten, burnish"). Related to Dutch hel ("clear, bright") and German hell ("clear, bright").

Etymology 3

From Middle English hellen, from Old Norse hella "to pour", descending in turn from Proto-Germanic halþijaną "to incline, tip; to pour out, empty". The Proto-Germanic root itself carries the Proto-Indo-European ḱel- "to lean, incline".

The cognates confirm the trajectory: Icelandic hella, Norwegian helle, Swedish hälla all retain the same meaning of pouring. The English word hield, now largely obsolete, shares the same Germanic ancestry and once meant to pour or incline.

Word family
Idioms31 entries

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