hellfire

[hel-fahy^uhr]

noun

1. the fire of hell.

2. punishment in hell.

3. Military.,  Hellfire, a laser-guided U.S. Army antiarmor missile designed for launch from a helicopter.

hellfire

/ ˈhɛlˌfaɪə /

noun

1. the torment and punishment of hell, envisaged as eternal fire

2. (modifier) characterizing sermons or preachers that emphasize this aspect of Christian belief

   hellfire evangelism

Word History and Origins

Origin of hellfire¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English helle fȳr; hell, fire

Example Sentences

Perhaps that heat he feels is not the warmth of success, but the hellfire of the demon’s fury.

From Salon

At the helm was Osbourne, who channeled the darker forces within this music with hypnotic wild-child abandon, as if he were possessed by the hellfire spirit.

From Salon

Ripley opts out by stepping back from her duties — all the way off a platform, plummeting into hellfire while clutching the creature that hunted her to her last breath.

From Salon

And then he brought apocalyptic hellfire, scoring 31 points in the first half.

From Los Angeles Times

Two months after the hellfires began in Southern California, each day brings fresh pain.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blazes 
• fire and brimstone 
• hell 
• inferno 
• living hell www.thesaurus.com