brimstone

American  

[brim-stohn] / ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn /

noun

1. sulfur.

2. a virago; shrew.

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brimstone British  

/ ˈbrɪmˌstəʊn /

noun

1. an obsolete name for sulphur

2. a common yellow butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni , of N temperate regions of the Old World: family Pieridae

3. archaic a scolding nagging woman; virago

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• brimstony
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of brimstone

before 1150; Middle English brinston, etc., late Old English brynstān. See burn ¹, stone

Explanation

Brimstone is an old-fashioned word for sulfur, a chemical that's used to make matches, among other things. Brimstone is derived from the Old English brynstan and a root meaning "to burn." These days, few people refer to the non-metallic chemical element sulfur this way, but are more likely to use the word in the Biblical phrase "fire and brimstone." The burning smell of a lightning strike — and the association of lightning with divine punishment — produced the connection between burning sulfur, or brimstone, and God's wrath.

Example Sentences

Hell isn’t fire and brimstone after all; it’s wallpaper, beige carpet and drop ceilings.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Televangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, and Kenneth Copeland were preaching fire and brimstone and the importance of tithing.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, there will be plagues and mass hysteria ... real Peter Venkman end-of-the-world stuff.

From Salon • May 18, 2023

Soon, Chuck’s preaching at Calvary Chapel is less fire and brimstone and more peace and love, with a rock band, Love Song, to boot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2023

A blistering attack would be preferable, some flying fur, a little fire and brimstone.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood