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.
Sergeant Eshel and the others on duty died in the inferno. Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 With his wife trapped in the inferno, the protagonist must navigate competing priorities between saving lives and preventing a terrorist attack. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025 An advancing inferno may call for hasty felling of trees to create firebreaks. Albert C. Lin, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025 Hours later, the city’s most storied landmark was an inferno, reduced to little more than charred remains of its 150-year legacy. Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inferno.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inferno. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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

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