hell

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   In some religions, a place of punishment where evil people are believed to go after death.

   He was warned that sinners would go to hell.

2. 2
   noun

   A situation that is extremely unpleasant or full of suffering.

   The long illness made the last year a living hell.

3. 3
   noun

   (informal) Used to make a statement or question stronger.

   What the hell are you doing here so late?

From Middle English helle, from Old English hell, from Proto-West Germanic *hallju, from Proto-Germanic *haljō (“concealed place, netherworld”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel- (“to cover, conceal, save”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Hälle (“hell”), West Frisian hel (“hell”), Dutch hel (“hell”), German Low German Hell (“hell”), German Hölle (“hell”), Norwegian helvete (“hell”), Icelandic hel (“the abode of the dead, death”). Also related to the Hel of Germanic mythology. See also hele.

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