brimstone
Brimstone (noun) means an old-fashioned name for sulfur, especially as used in religious writing to describe the fire and punishment of hell. Example: “The preacher warned of fire and brimstone for sinners.”
How to use brimstone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for sulfur, now used almost only in the phrase "fire and brimstone" to describe hellfire-style preaching.
Word forms
brimstones plural
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The preacher warned of fire and _____ for sinners.
Etymology
From Old English brynstan, literally "burn-stone" — the rock that burns. It's the same word family as burn and stone, and today survives mostly in the phrase "fire and brimstone."
Synonyms
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See all rhymes for brimstone →Frequently asked questions
What does “brimstone” mean?
The word “brimstone” means an old-fashioned name for sulfur, especially as used in religious writing to describe the fire and punishment of hell. In plain terms, an old word for sulfur, now used almost only in the phrase "fire and brimstone" to describe hellfire-style preaching.
How do you pronounce “brimstone”?
“Brimstone” is pronounced BRIHMS-tohn (/ˈbɹɪmstoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “brimstone” in a sentence?
Here is “brimstone” used in a sentence: “The preacher warned of fire and brimstone for sinners.”
What part of speech is “brimstone”?
“Brimstone” is a noun.
Where does the word “brimstone” come from?
The word “brimstone” comes from Old English. From Old English brynstan, literally "burn-stone" — the rock that burns. It's the same word family as burn and stone, and today survives mostly in the phrase "fire and brimstone.".
How many meanings does “brimstone” have?
“Brimstone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old-fashioned name for sulfur, especially as used in religious writing to describe the fire and punishment of hell.
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