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

• inˈfernally, adverb
• ˌinferˈnality, noun

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

I again pleaded with the entity that is running this infernal simulation to please stop.

From Salon

The Exotikon Super Shock Show will include a performance by world-class magician Rob Zabrecky, spooky-themed live music by Ghouly Gal and Jimmy Psycho and the Infernal Order of the Black Flame, and burlesque performances featuring Emma Vauxdevil and Vita Devoid.

From Los Angeles Times

A victory will be seen as a watershed event, the final flushing of Trump and his minions into the infernal swamp from which they emerged.

From Salon

Still nothing from the monks. “...that is, if I were a Hindustani, which, as a Sogdian, I am not. Though, I have been to the mango groves. We could use one of their monsoons in this infernal desert heat, couldn’t we?”

From Literature

Though I feared the button’s infernal noise would summon the Humans, I jumped up and struck it a second time.

From Literature

Related Words

• demonic
• devilish
• hellish
• malevolent
• wicked