infernal

[ in-fur-nl ]

adjective

1. hellish; fiendish; diabolical:

   an infernal plot.

2. extremely troublesome, annoying, etc.; atrocious:

   an infernal nuisance.

   Synonyms: wretched, abominable, damnable, cursed, blasted, accursed

3. of, inhabiting, or befitting hell.
4. Classical Mythology. of or relating to the underworld.

infernal

/ ɪnˈfɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an underworld of the dead
2. deserving hell or befitting its occupants; diabolic; fiendish
3. informal.
   irritating; confounded

Derived Forms

• ˌinferˈnality, noun
• inˈfernally, adverb

Other Words From

• infer·nali·ty noun
• in·fernal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of infernal¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Late Latin infernālis, equivalent to Latin infern(us) “situated below, of the underworld” ( inferior ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of infernal¹

C14: from Late Latin infernālis, from infernus hell, from Latin (adj): lower, hellish; related to Latin inferus low

Example Sentences

Today’s jet engines are built of superalloys, which can withstand infernal temperatures.

From Science News

The sun can fuse hydrogen atoms with ease because of the infernal conditions in its center.

From Popular-Science

You might imagine an infernal version of this creature could also have horns or breathe fire.

From Popular-Science

When we watch a mime seemingly pull rope, climb steps, or try to escape that infernal box, we don't struggle to recognize the implied objects.

From Ars Technica

Infernal, it can cause fires and explosions; toxic, it can debilitate, poison, and kill.

From The Daily Beast

He called her “a silly chattering windbag, an infernal liar, a conceited, gushing, rump-wagging, blethering ass.”

From The Daily Beast

Egypt is eternal, one might say, but its problems are infernal.

From The Daily Beast

That infernal device was much like the ones made from pressure cookers used in Boston.

From The Daily Beast

Of course there will be deranged people who will rejoice in their weird conviction of his eternal and infernal roasting.

From The Daily Beast

You as a resident in this infernal hole can doubtless suggest a suitable spot for the meeting.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, the big howitzers led the infernal orchestra pitting the face of no man's land with jet black blotches.

From Project Gutenberg

Sebastopol was evacuated last night after enduring, for three days, an infernal fire of shot and shell.

From Project Gutenberg

Not exactly, except that I heard my stepfather denounce the doctor as an infernal cur and blackguard.

From Project Gutenberg

"You infernal villain, if you don't surrender, I'll blow your brains out," hissed his lordship.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• demonic
• devilish
• hellish
• malevolent
• wicked