Hades

noun

Ha·​des ˈhā-(ˌ)dēz 

1

: the Greek god of the underworld

2

: the underground abode of the dead in Greek mythology

3

: sheol

4

often not capitalized : hell sense 1a

Did you know?

In Greek mythology, Hades is both the land of the dead and the god who rules there. Hades the god (who the Greeks also called Pluto) is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, who rule the skies and the seas. The realm called Hades, where he rules with his wife Persephone, is the region under the earth, full of mineral wealth and fertility and home to dead souls. Hades today is sometimes used as a polite term for Hell ("It's hotter than Hades in here!").

Examples of Hades in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Whisker Squadron's Story Anyone who has played Hades knows that indie rogue-lite developers create fantastic premises to justify the endless repetition. —PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2025

Season 3 will also come with its own exciting casting announcements, including that of Nico di Angelo and Bianca di Angelo, who are children of Hades. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025

This would mirror the development of the original Hades, which spent about two years in Early Access. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

In Greek mythology, the corresponding god is Hades. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek Aidēs, Āidēs, Haidēs

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for Hades

• ladies

Kids Definition

hades

noun

ha·​des

ˈhād-(ˌ)ēz

: hell sense 1

Etymology

Greek Haidēs, god of the underworld, abode of the dead in Greek mythology