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noun

netherworld

Netherworld (noun) means the afterlife or underworld, especially imagined as a place of punishment. Example: “The myth describes a hero's journey into the netherworld to rescue a lost soul.”

noun
1
The afterlife or underworld, especially imagined as a place of punishment.
"The myth describes a hero's journey into the netherworld to rescue a lost soul."
2
A hidden or shadowy underground subculture, such as organized crime.
"The film explores the netherworld of the city's black market."

How to use netherworld

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a mythical underworld/afterlife, or a hidden criminal underground in modern usage.

Common pairings
the netherworld of crime descend into the netherworld

Word forms

netherworlds plural

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Fill the gap

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The myth describes a hero's journey into the _____ to rescue a lost soul.

Etymology

From nether ("lower, beneath") + world.

Hades hell nether region underworld

Related words

Rhymes for netherworld

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Frequently asked questions

What does “netherworld” mean?

The word “netherworld” means the afterlife or underworld, especially imagined as a place of punishment. In plain terms, either a mythical underworld/afterlife, or a hidden criminal underground in modern usage.

How do you use “netherworld” in a sentence?

Here is “netherworld” used in a sentence: “The myth describes a hero's journey into the netherworld to rescue a lost soul.”

What is another word for “netherworld”?

Words with a similar meaning to “netherworld” include Hades, hell, nether region and underworld.

What part of speech is “netherworld”?

“Netherworld” is a noun.

How many meanings does “netherworld” have?

“Netherworld” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the afterlife or underworld, especially imagined as a place of punishment.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial