infernally
gb/ɪnfɚnəli/ us/ɪnfɚnəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
informal
C1
property
1
extremely; very (intensifier)
very, very; extremely
Usage pattern:
infernally + [adjective/adverb]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse infernally with internally (meaning “inside”).
Synonyms
extremely (more neutral and common.)
|
terribly (often carries a negative or complaining tone.)
|
awfully (informal; often sounds old-fashioned in some contexts.)
Antonyms
slightly (indicates only a small degree.)
|
moderately (indicates a limited, not extreme degree.)
Collocations
infernally difficult
|infernally hard
|infernally complicated
|infernally annoying
|infernally noisy
|infernally hot
|infernally cold
|infernally clever
|infernally busy
|infernally slow
Themes
language
|intensifiers
|evaluation
Examples
- This puzzle is infernally difficult, even with the hints.
- It’s infernally hot in here—can we open a window?
- The software is infernally slow after the update.
Learner examples
- The test was infernally hard.
- It is infernally cold today.
adverb
literary
C2
property
2
in a hellish, devilish way
in a way that seems evil or like hell
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [smiles/laughs/plans] infernally
Synonyms
diabolically (more explicit about devilish cleverness or evil.)
|
hellishly (emphasizes a hell-like, tormenting quality.)
Antonyms
angelically (suggests innocence or goodness.)
Collocations
smile infernally
|laugh infernally
|infernally inspired
|infernally cunning
|infernally wicked
Themes
religion
|fiction
|good_and_evil
Examples
- He smiled infernally as the trap clicked into place.
- The villain’s voice rose infernally from the dark hallway.
- An infernally clever plan unfolded behind the scenes.
Learner examples
- The character laughed infernally in the movie.
adverb
archaic
C2
relation
3
in hell; in the underworld
in hell (very uncommon)
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [suffers/dwells] infernally
Synonyms
in hell (a plain, modern rewording rather than a true synonym.)
Antonyms
heavenly (relating to heaven rather than hell.)
Collocations
suffer infernally
|dwell infernally
Themes
religion
|literature
Examples
- In the poem, the condemned are said to suffer infernally for eternity.
- The legend claims certain spirits dwell infernally beneath the mountain.
Grammar
Dictionary form
infernally
IPA
GB/ɪnfɚnəli/
US/ɪnfɚnəli/
Syllables & stress
in - fernally (2 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: infernally
- Plural: infernallies
Word family
Expressions
infernally clever
1/ɪnfɚnəli klˈɛvɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
extremely clever (often admiring)
very clever
Examples
- It’s an infernally clever design—simple, but it works every time.
- She came up with an infernally clever excuse on the spot.
infernally difficult
1/ɪnfɚnəli dˈɪfɪkʌlt/
fixed phrase
informal
extremely hard to do
very, very difficult
Examples
- Learning the keyboard shortcuts is infernally difficult at first.
- This section of the contract is infernally difficult to interpret.
infernally hot
1/ɪnfɚnəli hˈɑt/
fixed phrase
informal
extremely hot weather/temperature
very hot
Examples
- It was infernally hot on the train with the windows stuck shut.
- August can be infernally hot in the city.