inferno

UK: ɪnˈfɜː.nəʊ | US: ɪnˈfɝː.noʊ

Definition

  1. n. 1. A place or state of intense heat, especially a raging fire.

  2. n. 2. (Literary) Hell or a hellish environment.

  3. n. 3. (Figurative) A situation of extreme chaos or suffering.

Structure
infer <below>no <noun suffix>
Etymology

inferno = infer<below> + no<noun suffix>

  • infer<below>: From Latin inferus ("lower, underground"), related to infernus ("of the lower regions").
  • no<noun suffix>: A nominalizing suffix in Italian (e.g., inferno), derived from Latin -num.

Etymology Origin:
The word inferno entered English via Italian (Dante’s Inferno), retaining its Latin root infernus, meaning "of the underworld." The morpheme infer- reflects the concept of "below" (linked to Hell’s subterranean imagery), while -no nominalizes it. Over time, inferno expanded from a literal Hell to metaphorically describe any fiery or chaotic scene.

Examples

  1. The forest fire turned into an uncontrollable inferno.

  2. Dante’s Inferno vividly depicts the punishments of Hell.

  3. The battlefield was an inferno of explosions and screams.

  4. The factory became an inferno after the gas leak ignited.

  5. Protesters described the riot as a political inferno.