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hellhole

American  
[hel-hohl] / ˈhɛlˌhoʊl /

noun

  1. a place totally lacking in comfort, cleanliness, order, etc.

  2. a place or establishment noted for its illegal or immoral practices.


hellhole British  
/ ˈhɛlˌhəʊl /

noun

  1. an unpleasant or evil place

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hellhole

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; hell, hole

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A disco ball, aka “myriad reflector,” can turn any trashy hellhole into a party space, especially if you don’t look too closely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

One can only imagine what's happening to them in that dystopian hellhole of a prison.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2025

What also remains true: The place can be a hellhole for hitters.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2024

Despite that decline, the overall grade for residents’ feelings about safety came in at a C+, which isn’t great but isn’t a hellhole failure, either.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2023

She never canned except when it was scalding hot anyhow, and all the boiling turned the kitchen into some kind of hellhole.

From "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson