# inferno

/ˌɪnˈfɝˌnoʊ/ (US) · /ɪnfˈɜːnəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inferno
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a very large and dangerous fire that is out of control. It is often used to describe a fire that is burning very hot and fast.

For teachers: a large fire that burns with great intensity and is difficult to control. Often used in journalistic contexts to describe catastrophic structural or forest fires.

## Examples

- The old warehouse became a raging inferno within minutes.
- Firefighters battled the inferno for twelve hours before they could finally stop the flames from spreading to nearby homes.
- The dry summer winds quickly turned the small campfire into a forest inferno, consuming thousands of acres of ancient woodland before the first rains arrived.

## Usage notes

- Often modified by adjectives like 'raging', 'towering', or 'blazing' to emphasize the scale of the fire.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.