noun
hellhole
HEHL-hohl
Hellhole (noun) means a place marked by extreme misery, squalor, or unpleasantness. Example: “The old prison was described by inmates as a hellhole.”
noun
1
A place marked by extreme misery, squalor, or unpleasantness.
"The old prison was described by inmates as a hellhole."
"This traffic-choked city has become an absolute hellhole in summer."
How to use hellhole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA truly miserable or unpleasant place to be.
When to use it
Informal; used for emphasis rather than in neutral, formal descriptions.
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Word forms
- Plural
- hellholes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old prison was described by inmates as a _____.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "hell" and "hole," first recorded in the 1800s.
Class of 1800
hellhole joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hellhole
See all rhymes for hellhole →Frequently asked questions
What does “hellhole” mean?
The word “hellhole” means a place marked by extreme misery, squalor, or unpleasantness. In plain terms, a truly miserable or unpleasant place to be.
How do you pronounce “hellhole”?
“Hellhole” is pronounced HEHL-hohl (/ˈhɛlˌhoʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “hellhole” in a sentence?
Here is “hellhole” used in a sentence: “The old prison was described by inmates as a hellhole.”
What part of speech is “hellhole”?
“Hellhole” is a noun.
Where does the word “hellhole” come from?
The word “hellhole” dates back to around 1800. A straightforward compound of "hell" and "hole," first recorded in the 1800s.
