hella
Americanadverb
adjective
Etymology
Origin of hella
First recorded in 1980–85; probably shortening of helluva
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.
You see, like its siblings, the E-Ray is hella loud.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
He's called the album "hella weird" with a "wonky edge" that might alienate his parents.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2024
Westside 5ive: This is the epicenter, it was hella cracking at this time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 3, 2024
Santos has a lot on his plate right now: His hella suspicious finances are under investigation, and Brazil is reopening a fraud case related to his alleged use of a stolen checkbook in 2008.
From Slate ● Jan. 3, 2023
“It means you’re hella cute, Moss, and boys should be throwing themselves at you,” said Shamika, and her earrings tinkled as she laughed.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
