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 notesIn plain EnglishA massive, out-of-control fire, or figuratively any hellishly intense situation.
Common pairings
raging inferno
blazing inferno
turn into an inferno
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Word forms
- Plural
- infernos
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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.
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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