helluva
Americanadjective
adverb
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(intensifier)
a helluva difficult job
he's a helluva guy
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(intensifier)
it's helluva tough out here
Etymology
Origin of helluva
First recorded in 1915–20; a phonetic spelling representation of hell of a in continuous rapid speech
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.
Helluva deal, helluva team, and the gods are just getting started.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026
Jackson responded by writing: “Congrats on a Helluva career, Fitzy!! Loved sharing the field with you!! The gratitude is all mine!!”
From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2022
“I was surprised and then once you get over the initial shock, you’ve got a job to do. Helluva challenge.”
From Washington Times • Sep. 22, 2016
Plummer loved the game so much that in October 2008, he started his own leg of the American professional tour called the Helluva Handball Bash in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2012
"Helluva trick to play on a feller," grumbled Racey.
From The Heart of the Range by White, William Patterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
