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

Other Word Forms

• infernally adverb
• infernality noun

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

When Davis wrote his controversial piece, he also noted that “late August to early October is the infernal season in Los Angeles.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her right hand, fingers curled, rests on the infernal machine, while her left hand is open on the windowsill.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

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

But before I could do anything, there was that infernal sound from the front portal.

From Literature

Related Words

• demonic 
• devilish 
• hellish 
• malevolent 
• wicked