infernal
Americanadjective
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hellish; fiendish; diabolical.
an infernal plot.
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extremely troublesome, annoying, etc.; atrocious.
an infernal nuisance.
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of, inhabiting, or befitting hell.
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Classical Mythology. of or relating to the underworld.
adjective
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of or relating to an underworld of the dead
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deserving hell or befitting its occupants; diabolic; fiendish
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informal irritating; confounded
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of infernal
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Late Latin infernālis, equivalent to Latin infern(us) “situated below, of the underworld” ( see inferior) + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
Things that come from Hell, or seem like they do, are infernal. If your father tells you to stop listening to that infernal music, he thinks your tunes are hellish on the ears. The word infernal comes from infernus, the Latin word for underground. A related word is inferno which means a really big fire, the kind that you might find in Hell. Although it might be used to describe something really hot or something evil, infernal is usually used when someone is complaining about something they really don't like such as the infernal dog next door that keeps barking.
Vocabulary lists containing infernal
A Christmas Carol
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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
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Term-ometer: Synonyms for "Hot"
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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.
And in 1945 he directed Cocteau’s “The Infernal Machine” and Rudolf Besier’s “The Barretts of Wimpole Street,” also on the London fringe.
From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2022
Despite its clear roots, there was no mention of "Infernal Affairs" or the efforts of its creators during the multiple "Departed" Oscar acceptance speeches.
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2021
For example Martin Scorcese's film The Departed was a remake of Infernal Affairs, a Hong Kong film about triads.
From BBC • Jul. 22, 2019
Windhand, “Grief’s Infernal Flower” Here’s a heavy-metal band with an obvious love for decibels and a discreet contempt for momentum.
From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2015
“Only one question and only in the light of the full moon. Infernal thing!”
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
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.
