infernal
gb/ɪnfˈɚnəl/ us/ɪnfˈɚnəl/
B2
English
~ 26900
átkozott, pokolbéli, pokoli, ördögi
B2
INFORMAL
1
átkozott
B2
Usage pattern:
infernal [noun]
I can’t concentrate with that infernal noise coming from next door.
Nem tudok koncentrálni attól az átkozott zajtól, ami a szomszédból jön.
This infernal printer keeps jamming every time I need it.
Ez az átkozott nyomtató mindig elakad, valahányszor szükségem van rá.
He finally fixed the infernal car that kept breaking down on the highway.
Turn off that infernal alarm before it drives everyone crazy.
I’ve had enough of this infernal weather ruining our plans.
Learner examples
This infernal noise is giving me a headache.
Ez az átkozott zaj fejfájást okoz.
I am tired of this infernal computer breaking every day.
Elegem van abból, hogy ez az átkozott számítógép minden nap elromlik.
She called the traffic jam an infernal mess.
That infernal phone rings all night.
He shouted at the infernal machine when it stopped again.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "infernal" with "internal" or "inferior" because they look similar. "Infernal" means very annoying or connected to hell, while "internal" means inside something and "inferior" means lower in quality or rank. Also, learners may not realize this sense is mainly for emphasis in informal speech, similar to "damned" or "awful".
Meaning
extremely annoying or frustrating
Collocations
infernal noise
|infernal racket
|infernal mess
|infernal machine
|this infernal thing
|infernal weather
Synonyms
damned (Stronger and more emotional; can sound harsher or more vulgar in some contexts.)
|
wretched (Emphasizes how miserable or poor in quality something is, slightly more formal or literary.)
Antonyms
pleasant (Describes something enjoyable or nice, the opposite of annoying or hard to tolerate.)
|
delightful (Stronger than "pleasant", stresses great enjoyment instead of frustration.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something makes you very angry or is very hard to put up with.
Used for emphasizing that something is extremely annoying, unpleasant, or difficult to tolerate.
C1
LITERARY
2
pokolbéli
C1
Usage pattern:
infernal [noun]
In the poem, the hero journeys through the infernal regions before reaching redemption.
A költeményben a hős a megváltás előtt a pokolbéli tájakon halad keresztül.
Medieval paintings often show sinners writhing in infernal flames.
A középkori festményeken gyakran bűnösök láthatók, akik pokolbéli lángok között vonaglanak.
The cult claimed to summon infernal powers to do their bidding.
The priest warned them of the infernal torments awaiting unrepentant souls.
Legends speak of infernal gates that open only on the darkest nights.
Learner examples
The story describes an infernal world full of fire and pain.
A történet egy tűzzel és fájdalommal teli pokolbéli világot ír le.
In this religion, bad people go to an infernal place after death.
Ebben a vallásban a rossz emberek haláluk után egy pokolbéli helyre kerülnek.
The movie shows infernal demons coming from a dark door.
Old writers sometimes talk about the infernal regions.
They believed an infernal power controlled the curse.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense in everyday speech where it sounds too strong or old‑fashioned. In modern conversation, people usually say "hell" or "from hell" (e.g. "a job from hell") rather than "infernal" in this religious or literal way.
Meaning
of or relating to hell
Collocations
infernal regions
|infernal flames
|infernal torments
|infernal kingdom
|infernal powers
|infernal demons
Synonyms
hellish (Common in both literal and figurative use; slightly less formal and more frequent in modern speech.)
|
diabolical (Focuses more on the devil or extreme evil rather than the place of hell itself.)
Antonyms
heavenly (Describes things belonging to heaven or very beautiful and good, opposite of belonging to hell.)
|
divine (Relates to God or a god, often with positive, holy associations, the opposite of infernal evil or hell.)
Themes
religion
|mythology
Definition
Connected with hell, the place where some religions say bad people go after they die.
Relating to hell or the world of the dead, especially as a place of suffering and punishment.
B2
INFORMAL
3
pokoli
B1
Usage pattern:
infernal [heat/weather/temperature]
We spent the day working in infernal heat with no air conditioning.
Az egész napot pokoli hőségben dolgoztuk végig, légkondicionálás nélkül.
The city’s infernal summer drove many residents to the coast.
A város pokoli nyara sok lakost a tengerpartra űzött.
I can’t sleep in this infernal bedroom; it feels like an oven.
They cooked over an infernal stove that heated the whole room.
After an hour in the infernal sun, we all needed water.
Learner examples
We walked for hours in the infernal heat.
Órákig gyalogoltunk a pokoli hőségben.
This infernal sun makes me very tired.
Ez a pokoli napsütés nagyon kifáraszt.
It is infernal in this room; please open a window.
They worked all day in the infernal kitchen.
The infernal weather made everyone angry.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "infernal" always means something religious. In this sense it simply means "very, very hot" and is often used with words like "heat" or "sun". However, it still sounds strong and emotional, not neutral like "hot" or "warm".
Meaning
extremely and unbearably hot
Collocations
infernal heat
|infernal sun
|infernal temperature
|infernal summer
|infernal kitchen
Synonyms
sweltering (Neutral description of very hot, humid weather; lacks the hellish or angry tone of "infernal".)
|
scorching (Focuses on burning intensity of heat, less emotional than "infernal".)
Antonyms
chilly (Describes uncomfortably cool or cold conditions, opposite of very hot.)
|
cool (Comfortably or pleasantly low temperature, contrasting with oppressive heat.)
Themes
weather
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very, very hot in an unpleasant way.
Extremely and unpleasantly hot, often compared to the heat of hell.
C1
LITERARY
4
ördögi
B2
Usage pattern:
infernal [plan/device/powers]
The rebels uncovered an infernal plot to poison the city’s water supply.
A lázadók lelepleztek egy ördögi tervet, amely a város vízellátásának megmérgezésére irányult.
Detectives worked to disable the infernal device hidden beneath the stage.
A nyomozók a színpad alá rejtett pokolgép hatástalanításán dolgoztak.
The dictator ruled with infernal cruelty, silencing all opposition.
The story tells of an infernal pact between a sorcerer and dark spirits.
They were horrified by the infernal methods used in the secret prison.
Learner examples
The hero stops an infernal plan to destroy the town.
A hős megakadályozza a város elpusztítására irányuló ördögi tervet.
Police found an infernal device in the train station.
A rendőrök pokolgépet találtak a vasútállomáson.
The book describes an infernal ruler who enjoys pain and death.
They feared an infernal power was behind the attack.
The movie shows an infernal machine created by a mad scientist.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "infernal" when they just mean "bad" or "not nice". This sense is much stronger and is used for things that are extremely evil, cruel, or linked to dark or demonic forces, often in stories or very dramatic writing.
Meaning
extremely evil or demonic
Collocations
infernal plot
|infernal scheme
|infernal device
|infernal machine
|infernal plan
Synonyms
fiendish (Suggests cruel pleasure in causing pain or difficulty; often slightly informal or vivid.)
|
demonic (Emphasizes a link with demons or evil spirits; can sound more religious or supernatural.)
Antonyms
benevolent (Describes someone who is kind and wishes to do good, opposite of extremely evil.)
|
kindhearted (Focuses on gentle and caring feelings, opposite of cruel or wicked.)
Themes
violence
|crime
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very evil or very cruel, like something from the devil.
Extremely wicked, cruel, or connected with demonic or evil forces.
Grammar
Dictionary form
infernal
IPA
GB/ɪnfˈɚnəl/
US/ɪnfˈɚnəl/
Syllables & stress
in - fernal (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fernal)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: infernal
Word family
Core family
inferno
noun
infernally
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
heavenly
adjective B1
Expressions
infernal machine
1/ɪnfˈɚnəl məʃˈin/
fixed phrase
literary
explosive device for killing or terror
A hidden bomb or similar device made to kill people or destroy things, often used in attacks.
Examples
- The police safely disarmed an infernal machine left in the crowded marketplace.
- Newspapers reported that an infernal machine had exploded outside the government building.
- Historians describe the assassination attempt using an infernal machine hidden in a carriage.
the infernal regions
1/ðə ɪnfˈɚnəl ɹˈid͡ʒənz/
fixed phrase
literary
hell as a place of punishment
A formal or old‑fashioned way to say "hell," the place where some religions say bad people go after they die.
Examples
- In the legend, the gates to the infernal regions open once every hundred years.
- The preacher warned that sinners would be cast into the infernal regions.
- The painting shows souls falling into the infernal regions below the earth.