helluva

American  

[hel-uh-vuh] / ˈhɛl ə və /

adjective

Informal.

1. hell of a (used as an intensifier).

   We had a helluva time getting through the heavy traffic.

   She's a helluva good player!

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helluva British  

/ ˈhɛləvə /

adverb

1. (intensifier)

   a helluva difficult job

   he's a helluva guy

2. (intensifier)

   it's helluva tough out here

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Etymology

Origin of helluva

First recorded in 1915–20; a phonetic spelling representation of hell of a in continuous rapid speech

Example Sentences

“You make a helluva lot more money with a weaker dollar,” the president said in July.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

I’d had a helluva lotta fun across Henderson that day, even though I’d never been there before, much less attended a UFC viewing party in the heart of it all.

From Slate • Oct. 31, 2024

Brandon Gill, the football coach of nearby Buford High School, wrote on social media that Aspinwall was a "helluva human being" who "would do anything for anyone."

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024

John Nieporte, the head pro at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla., golf club, raved about Trump as a “great boss and helluva golfer,” exalting his game from tee shot to the putting green.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2024

“A helluva road to be driving at night, isn’t it? I do it every night. I work up in Pullman and live down there—” He pointed to the lights of Lewiston and the black river.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech