What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hell
Example
According to some religions, sinners go to hell after they die. [hell: noun]
Example
I'm so mad at my boss, I feel like I'm in hell at work. [hell: metaphorical usage]
Example
The heat in this room is unbearable, it feels like hell. [hell: simile]
inferno
Example
The inferno destroyed the entire building in minutes. [inferno: noun]
Example
The desert was like an inferno, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. [inferno: simile]
Example
The concert was an inferno of energy and excitement. [inferno: metaphorical usage]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hell is more commonly used than inferno in everyday language, and has a wider range of contexts in which it can be used. Inferno is less common and more formal, and is typically used to describe actual fires or intense situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hell and inferno?
Inferno is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language than hell. While hell can be used in both formal and informal contexts, inferno is typically reserved for more serious or dramatic situations.
