hellish

[ hel-ish ]

adjective

1. of, like, or suitable to hell; infernal; vile; horrible:

   It was a hellish war.

2. miserable; abominable; execrable:

   We had a hellish time getting through traffic.

3. devilishly bad:

   The child's behavior was hellish most of the day.

hellish

/ ˈhɛlɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or resembling hell
2. wicked; cruel
3. informal.
   very difficult or unpleasant

adverb

1. informal.
   (intensifier)

   a hellish good idea

Derived Forms

• ˈhellishly, adverb
• ˈhellishness, noun

Other Words From

• hellish·ly adverb
• hellish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hellish¹

First recorded in 1520–30; hell + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

The fact the lodge and most of the nearby resort escaped the hellish firestorm is a testament to the work of Smith’s team and firefighters.

From Los Angeles Times

That already makes for a hellish hurricane season in Florida.

From Slate

But there are advantages to visiting the ship in its off-seasons, whether to avoid the hellish hours-long traffic jam for parking or to experience events like the Transatlantic Vacation or New Year’s Eve bash where big band dance parties transport guests back into the ghosts’ timeline.

From Los Angeles Times

That includes telling people to stay out for a week or two when the foliage is bone-dry and another hellish heat wave appears in the weather forecast.

From Los Angeles Times

We are only just getting a first taste of cooler weather along our stretch of the Gulf Coast, and, boy oh boy, are we grateful to have those hellish temperatures we endured in our rear view.

From Salon

Related Words

• horrible
• infernal
• terrible