inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce inferno (audio)
plural infernos
: a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell
the inferno of war
also : an intense fire : conflagration
a raging inferno

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Without cellular service or WiFi, Perry said his family relied on the emergency notifications to prepare and get themselves out of their home — just a canyon over from the growing inferno. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024 The inferno — dubbed the Jennings Creek Wildfire by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service — had grown to 3,500 acres and was 20% contained Tuesday morning. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 Surviving the inferno:How the Maui fire reshaped one family's story According to the payroll job count from June 2024, Maui County is still 6,300 jobs short from July 2023, with the hospitality sector accounting for over half of those job losses. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2024 Then there were a bunch of vibrant green trees — spared from the inferno. Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inferno 

Word History

Etymology

Italian, hell, from Late Latin infernus

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inferno was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near inferno

Cite this Entry

“Inferno.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inferno. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

inferno

noun
in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-nō How to pronounce inferno (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on inferno

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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