adj
C2
Proficient
infernal
ihn-FUR-nuhl
Infernal (adj) means relating to hell or the underworld; hellish. Example: “The painting showed sinners trapped in some infernal pit of fire.”
adj
1
Relating to hell or the underworld; hellish.
"The painting showed sinners trapped in some infernal pit of fire."
"The heat in the boiler room was infernal."
2
Extremely annoying or troublesome (informal, used for emphasis).
"Turn off that infernal alarm, it's been going for ten minutes!"
How to use infernal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHellish, or (informally) maddeningly annoying.
When to use it
The "annoying" sense is old-fashioned and mostly used for comic or exaggerated effect.
Common pairings
infernal machine
infernal noise
infernal regions
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Word forms
- Plural
- infernals
- Comparative
- more infernal
- Superlative
- most infernal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The painting showed sinners trapped in some _____ pit of fire.
Etymology
From Latin infernus, "the underworld," via Medieval Latin infernalis.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for infernal
See all rhymes for infernal →Frequently asked questions
What does “infernal” mean?
The word “infernal” means relating to hell or the underworld; hellish. In plain terms, hellish, or (informally) maddeningly annoying.
How do you pronounce “infernal”?
“Infernal” is pronounced ihn-FUR-nuhl (/ɪnˈfɝnəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “infernal” in a sentence?
Here is “infernal” used in a sentence: “The painting showed sinners trapped in some infernal pit of fire.”
What is another word for “infernal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “infernal” include Acherontic, Hadean, helly, hellish, Plutonic and Plutonian.
What is the opposite of “infernal”?
The opposite of “infernal” — its antonyms — are heavenlike, celestial and heavenly.
What part of speech is “infernal”?
“Infernal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “infernal” come from?
The word “infernal” comes from Medieval Latin. From Latin infernus, "the underworld," via Medieval Latin infernalis.
How many meanings does “infernal” have?
“Infernal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to hell or the underworld; hellish.
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