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

Like a blazing inferno, the riot spreads swiftly and suddenly. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026

The destruction from the inferno, known as the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, was surreal. —Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026

Donnie orders all of the women out and begins to throw Molotov cocktails to trap the men, who die in a blazing inferno. —Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026

More than 230 firefighters and paramedics were dispatched as the inferno grew into a four-alarm fire. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 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"