gehenna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyLiterary, Religious, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “gehenna” mean?
Hell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Hell; a place or state of extreme suffering, torment, or misery.
Any situation, experience, or place that is intensely unpleasant, horrifying, or feels like a state of damnation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between BrE and AmE. It is a specialised term used similarly in both.
Connotations
Strong religious and literary connotations. May evoke Biblical imagery.
Frequency
Equally rare and formal/literary in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “gehenna” in a Sentence
The [event/place] was a [adjective] gehenna.He described the [situation] as a gehenna of [noun].It felt like gehenna.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gehenna” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; word is almost exclusively a noun.)
American English
- (Not standard; word is almost exclusively a noun.)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard.)
American English
- (Not standard.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; the adjectival form is 'gehennic' or 'gehennal', but they are extremely rare.)
American English
- (Not standard; the adjectival form is 'gehennic' or 'gehennal', but they are extremely rare.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Potentially hyperbolic: 'The merger negotiations were an absolute gehenna.'
Academic
Used in theological, historical, or literary studies discussing concepts of hell or damnation.
Everyday
Very rare. Used for strong figurative emphasis: 'That exam was pure gehenna.'
Technical
Specific to religious studies, theology, and certain historical or literary analyses.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gehenna”
- Misspelling as 'gehena' or 'gehanna'.
- Using it in casual conversation where 'hell' is more natural.
- Confusing it with 'gulag' or other specific historical places of suffering.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, literary, and religious term. 'Hell' is the common equivalent.
No, it denotes extreme, often horrific suffering. Using it for minor issues is hyperbolic and stylistically inappropriate.
It comes via Late Latin and Greek from the Hebrew 'gê hinnōm', meaning 'valley of Hinnom', a valley near Jerusalem where child sacrifices were once made, later associated with a place of punishment.
In strict theology, 'Hades' is the Greek underworld/realm of the dead, 'Gehenna' is a place of fiery punishment, and 'Hell' is the general English term often encompassing both concepts. In figurative use, they are often synonymous.
Hell.
Gehenna is usually literary, religious, figurative in register.
Gehenna: in British English it is pronounced /ɡɪˈhɛnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡɪˈhɛnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a living gehenna”
- “go through gehenna”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GEHENNA sounds like 'Get Henna' but in hell; imagine getting a painful, fiery tattoo in HELL.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUFFERING IS BEING IN A FIERY PIT / A DIFFICULT SITUATION IS HELL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gehenna' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?