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

The cast features American actor and singer Zachary James, who plays Hades; Gloria Onitiri as Persephone; Dónal Finn as Orpheus and Grace Hodgett-Young as Eurydice. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024

Both the Flow Lite keyboards come fitted with Specter switches as standard but an extra set of Hades switches can also be ordered. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Played by David Thewlis, Hades is tired and overworked, even falling asleep during a conversation with Zeus. —Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024

Zeus's spotting of a wrinkle on his forehead triggers a midlife crisis and a complicated plot featuring versions of Cassandra (Billie Piper), Hades (David Thewlis), Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) and others. —The Week Uk, theweek, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek Aidēs, Āidēs, Haidēs

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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