Inferno

/ɪnˈfɜːr.noʊ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A large fire that is dangerously out of control.

The firefighters struggled to contain the inferno that engulfed the entire forest.

An intensely hot place or situation.

The inferno of the car engine made it impossible to approach safely.

A place resembling hell in intensity of heat or suffering.

The soldier described the battlefield as an inferno, with chaos and destruction all around.

From the Italian 'inferno', meaning hell or fiery region, derived from Latin 'infernus', meaning lower or beneath.

dance with the inferno:

to engage in a risky, dangerous situation

inferno of emotions:

a state of intense emotional disturbance

playing with fire:

to act in a way that is dangerously reckless

A very intense party or event.

Last night’s concert was an inferno, everyone was dancing all night!

A situation that is chaotic or intense.

The exam period was an inferno, with everyone stressed out.