hellion

[ hel-yuhn ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a disorderly, troublesome, rowdy, or mischievous person.

hellion

/ ˈhɛljən /

noun

1. informal.
   a rough or rowdy person, esp a child; troublemaker Also calledheller

Word History and Origins

Origin of hellion¹

1835–45, Americanism; hell + -ion, as in scullion, rapscallion

Word History and Origins

Origin of hellion¹

C19: probably from dialect hallion rogue, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Like a patient dad, McCarthy is trying to calm the little hellions, but it is unclear what he can do to make them happy.

From Seattle Times

As we’re about to learn, David is more than a heel, he’s a hellion, and what begins as the story of a stalking skids rapidly into depravity and humiliation.

From New York Times

“There could have been no more perfect beginning to L.Q. Jones’s career in the movies. The word that best sums up his overriding screen persona is hellion.”

From New York Times

“They literally raised three girls to be absolute hellions. And we didn’t know and I literally didn’t know that wasn’t possible.”

From New York Times

A little hellion, according to her own description, she was not adopted even after her picture and profile were featured as a child needing a forever home in The Seattle Times.

From Seattle Times