hellish
UK: ˈhelɪʃ | US: ˈhelɪʃ
adj. extremely unpleasant or cruel; resembling or characteristic of hell
adj. (informal) very difficult or uncomfortable
hellish = hell<place of torment> + ish<adjective suffix>
- hell: From Old English hell, meaning "the underworld" or "place of the dead," derived from Proto-Germanic haljō. Originally conceptualized as a dark, punitive realm in Christian theology.
- ish: A suffix forming adjectives, from Old English -isc, meaning "having the nature of" or "belonging to."
Etymology Origin:
The word hellish combines hell, a core concept in Germanic and Christian cosmology, with the adjectival suffix -ish to describe qualities reminiscent of hell—such as extreme suffering, chaos, or discomfort. Its evolution reflects the cultural association of hell with unbearable conditions, later extended metaphorically to describe intensely negative experiences.
The prisoners endured hellish conditions in the overcrowded jail.
The traffic during rush hour was absolutely hellish.
Her migraine made the day feel hellish.
The desert heat was hellish for the unprepared hikers.
The movie depicted a hellish dystopia ruled by tyranny.