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hell
1 a
(1): a nether world in which the dead continue to exist : hades
(2): the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which the damned suffer everlasting punishment —often used in curses <go to hell> or as a generalized term of abuse <the hell with it> bChristian Science : error 2b
, sin2 a: a place or state of misery, torment, or wickedness <war is hell
— W. T. Sherman> b: a place or state of turmoil or destruction <all hell broke loose> c: a severe scolding
; also : flak
, grief <gave me hell for coming in late> d: unrestrained fun or sportiveness <the kids were full of hell> —often used in the phrase for the hell of it especially to suggest action on impulse or without a serious motive <decided to go for the hell of it> e: an extremely unpleasant and often inescapable situation <rush-hour hell>3archaic : a tailor's receptacle4—used as an interjection <hell, I don't know!> or as an intensive <hurts like hell><funny as hell>
; often used in the phrase hell of a<it was one hell of a good fight> or hell out of<scared the hell out of him> or with the or in<moved way the hell up north><what in hell is wrong, now?>
— from hell
: being the worst or most dreadful of its kind
— hell on
: very hard on or destructive to <the constant traveling is hell on your digestive system>
— hell or high water
: difficulties of whatever kind or size <will stand by her convictions come hell or high water>
— hell to pay
: dire consequences <if he's late there'll be hell to pay>
— what the hell
—used interjectionally to express a lack of concern about consequences or risks <it might cost him half his estate…but what the hell
— N. W. Aldrich b1935>
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