inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-(ˌ)nō 

plural infernos

: a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell

the inferno of war

also : an intense fire : conflagration

a raging inferno

Synonyms

• conflagration
• fire
• holocaust

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

Gigantic yacht scorched by inferno outside Miami strip club. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025

The lines takes on a fresh resonance in the wake of January’s infernos. —Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025

The inferno was only 14% contained as of early Thursday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire. —Brandon Miller, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused tens of billions of dollars in property damage and lost wages, as infernos continue to scorch the Golden State. —Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, hell, from Late Latin infernus

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-nō 

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"