Meaning & Definition of word "Hellish"

Hellish

/ˈhɛl.ɪʃ/

adjective:

  • 1. Of or resembling hell; extremely unpleasant, horrible, or tormenting.
    • Example: The weather was hellish, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees for days on end.
  • 2. Involving or marked by extreme suffering or torture.
    • Example: The hellish conditions in the prison led to numerous protests from human rights organizations.
  • 3. Intense or fierce, often describing something difficult to endure.
    • Example: The team faced a hellish schedule, playing seven games in just two weeks.

Etymology

Derived from the word 'hell' combined with the suffix '-ish' denoting a characteristic or resemblance.

Common Phrases and Expressions

hellish conditions:

Extreme and unbearable circumstances or situations.

a hellish nightmare:

A particularly terrifying and distressing experience.

hellish heat:

Extreme and oppressive heat.

Related Words

hell:

A place of suffering and torment in various religious beliefs.

hellraiser:

A person who causes trouble or chaos, often used in a rebellious context.

Slang Meanings of hellish

Meaning: A particularly rough or bad time.

Example Sentence: That exam was hellish; I thought I'd never get through it.

Meaning: Used to describe something that is outrageously difficult or problematic.

Example Sentence: This project has been hellish ever since we started.