Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Hades

noun
Ha·​des | \ˈhā-(ˌ)dēz \

Definition of Hades 

1 : the Greek god of the underworld

2 : the underground abode of the dead in Greek mythology

3 : sheol

4 often not capitalized : hell sense 1a

Did You Know?

In Greek mythology, Hades is both the land of the dead and the god who rules there. Hades the god (who the Greeks also called Pluto) is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, who rule the skies and the seas. The realm called Hades, where he rules with his wife Persephone, is the region under the earth, full of mineral wealth and fertility and home to dead souls. Hades today is sometimes used as a polite term for Hell ("It's hotter than Hades in here!").

First Known Use of Hades

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for Hades

Greek Aidēs, Āidēs, Haidēs

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Hades

Statistics for Hades

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for Hades

The first known use of Hades was in 1597

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for Hades

Hades

noun

English Language Learners Definition of Hades

: the home of the dead in Greek mythology

—used as a more polite way of saying “hell”

See the full definition for Hades in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on Hades

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with Hades

Comments on Hades

What made you want to look up Hades? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

lunette

the figure or shape of a crescent moon

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games