Main Entry: hell

Pronunciation: \ˈhel\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English helan to conceal, Old High German helan, Latin celare, Greek kalyptein

Date: before 12th century

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> b Christian Science : error 2b, sin
2 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>
3 archaic : a tailor's receptacle
4 —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>