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noun Uncommon

inferno

ihn-FNOH

Inferno (noun) means a huge, raging fire. Example: “Firefighters battled the inferno for six hours before it was contained.”

noun
1
A huge, raging fire.
"Firefighters battled the inferno for six hours before it was contained."
"Dry winds turned the small brush fire into a raging inferno."
2
A place or situation so intense or hellish it resembles Hell.
"The stadium became an inferno of noise as the home team scored."

How to use inferno

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA massive, out-of-control fire, or figuratively any hellishly intense situation.

Common pairings
raging inferno blazing inferno turn into an inferno

Word forms

infernos plural

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Firefighters battled the _____ for six hours before it was contained.

Etymology

From Italian inferno, "hell," from Latin infernus. The "huge fire" meaning developed later, from the idea of hellfire.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for inferno

See all rhymes for inferno →

Frequently asked questions

What does “inferno” mean?

The word “inferno” means a huge, raging fire. In plain terms, a massive, out-of-control fire, or figuratively any hellishly intense situation.

How do you pronounce “inferno”?

“Inferno” is pronounced ihn-FNOH (/ɪnˈfɝnoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “inferno” in a sentence?

Here is “inferno” used in a sentence: “Firefighters battled the inferno for six hours before it was contained.”

What is another word for “inferno”?

Words with a similar meaning to “inferno” include afterlife.

What part of speech is “inferno”?

“Inferno” is a noun.

Where does the word “inferno” come from?

The word “inferno” comes from Latin. From Italian inferno, "hell," from Latin infernus. The "huge fire" meaning developed later, from the idea of hellfire.

Is “inferno” a common word?

“Inferno” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “inferno” have?

“Inferno” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a huge, raging fire.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial