inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-(ˌ)nō 

plural infernos

: a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell

the inferno of war

also : an intense fire : conflagration

a raging inferno

Synonyms of inferno

• fire

Examples of inferno in a Sentence

By the time help arrived, the fire had grown to a raging inferno.

the intense heat of the raging inferno repeatedly drove back the firefighters

Recent Examples on the Web

The fire initially grew into a huge inferno, creating a pillar of thick, black smoke that could be seen for miles. — Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026

Footage taken in Yangon showed a massive array of drugs engulfed in a raging inferno, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. — Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026

The story detailed the first critical hours of the Palisades fire, when thousands of residents had to decide whether and how to flee the inferno. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

The complaints also allege that sparking or downed power lines exacerbated the inferno. — Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, hell, from Late Latin infernus

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-nō 

plural infernos

: a place or state that resembles or suggests hell especially in great heat or raging fire

Etymology

from Italian inferno "underworld, hell," from Latin infernus (same meaning), from earlier infernus (adjective) "lying beneath, in the lower regions"