adj
hellfire
HEHL-feye-uh
Hellfire (adj) means relating to fiery, apocalyptic warnings of divine punishment, especially in preaching. Example: “The old preacher was known for his hellfire sermons.”
adj
1
Relating to fiery, apocalyptic warnings of divine punishment, especially in preaching.
"The old preacher was known for his hellfire sermons."
intj
1
Used as a mild oath expressing anger or annoyance.
""Hellfire, I forgot my keys again!""
How to use hellfire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe fire of hell — often used to describe fierce, fear-based religious preaching, or as an old-fashioned exclamation.
Common pairings
hellfire and brimstone
hellfire sermon
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more hellfire
- Superlative
- most hellfire
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old preacher was known for his _____ sermons.
Etymology
From Old English hellefyr, literally "hell" + "fire."
Rhymes for hellfire
See all rhymes for hellfire →Frequently asked questions
What does “hellfire” mean?
The word “hellfire” means relating to fiery, apocalyptic warnings of divine punishment, especially in preaching. In plain terms, the fire of hell — often used to describe fierce, fear-based religious preaching, or as an old-fashioned exclamation.
How do you pronounce “hellfire”?
“Hellfire” is pronounced HEHL-feye-uh (/ˈhɛlˌfaɪəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hellfire” in a sentence?
Here is “hellfire” used in a sentence: “The old preacher was known for his hellfire sermons.”
What part of speech is “hellfire”?
Depending on how it is used, “hellfire” can be an adjective and an intj.
Where does the word “hellfire” come from?
The word “hellfire” comes from Old English. From Old English hellefyr, literally "hell" + "fire.".
How many meanings does “hellfire” have?
“Hellfire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to fiery, apocalyptic warnings of divine punishment, especially in preaching.
