hellfire

[ hel-fahyuhr ]

noun

1. the fire of hell.
2. punishment in hell.
3. Hellfire, Military. a laser-guided U.S. Army antiarmor missile designed for launch from a helicopter.

hellfire

/ ˈhɛlˌfaɪə /

noun

1. the torment and punishment of hell, envisaged as eternal fire
2. modifier characterizing sermons or preachers that emphasize this aspect of Christian belief

   hellfire evangelism

Word History and Origins

Origin of hellfire¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English helle fȳr; hell, fire

Example Sentences

The shooter who killed 19 children and two teachers at a school in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022 had a “hellfire” trigger device, though he did not appear to have used it.

From New York Times

The entire background is bathed in scarlet, which quickly drew comparisons to hellfire and "Satanic servitude," and "rhubarb pie filling," amongst others.

From Salon

The online opinions didn’t stop at hellfire, however.

From Los Angeles Times

“Let the rain of retribution turn the zionist entity into a storm of hellfire,” one message read:.

From Washington Times

No halos here, no hellfire, few kings or queens, pretty much no suffering or death.

From New York Times

Related Words

• blazes
• fire and brimstone
• hell
• inferno
• living hell