helluva

[ hel-uh-vuh ]

/ ˈhɛl ə və /

adjective, adverb Pronunciation Spelling.

hell of a (used as an intensifier): We had a helluva time getting through the heavy traffic. She's a helluva good player!

Nearby words

Origin of helluva

First recorded in 1915–20

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for helluva

Hosting the show really is the most thankless—and one of the most trying—jobs in showbiz, but DeGeneres did a helluva job.
Surprise! Ellen DeGeneres is the Best Oscars Host in a Decade|Marlow Stern|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“This Congress has not instilled a helluva lot of confidence in the party,” says longtime consultant Mark Corallo.
The Governors Who Could Beat Christie|Michelle Cottle|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There are a helluva lot of reasons to cast aspersions on Mumford & Sons.
Mumford & Sons Rock Brooklyn’s Barclays Center|Marlow Stern|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To her credit, she did a helluva job—even premiering an unreleased Deadmau5 song.
Avicii, Superstar DJ, Hits Sundance|Marlow Stern|January 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

All things considered, Cheney remains convinced that he did a helluva job.
Dick Cheney Sounds Off on CIA Torture, Iraq, and More in New Sundance Documentary|Marlow Stern|January 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It's a helluva risk every time you make a shot, in spite of all the propaganda.
Tight Squeeze|Dean Charles Ing
And a helluva recommendation we would get from him, too, I bet yer!
Elkan Lubliner, American|Montague Glass
For a helluva long time you've answered nobody—though everyone in the Bunch must have tried beaming you.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
Any missing telenizer equipment would cause a helluva fuss, and there hasn't been any fuss.
The Telenizer|Don Thompson
"Your wife took a helluva chance, Gordon," Trench said heavily.
Police Your Planet|Lester del Rey

British Dictionary definitions for helluva

helluva

/ (ˈhɛləvə) /

adverb, adjective informal

(intensifier)a helluva difficult job; he's a helluva guy

Southern African (intensifier)it's helluva tough out here

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

Word Origin and History for helluva

helluva

adj.

1910, attempt to represent the casual pronunciation of expression hell of a _____, which is attested from 1776 (see hell).