hellhound: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Mythological, Informal (when used figuratively)
Quick answer
What does “hellhound” mean?
A mythical dog-like creature or demon associated with Hell, death, or the supernatural.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mythical dog-like creature or demon associated with Hell, death, or the supernatural.
A relentless, menacing, or evil person who pursues or torments others; a symbol of death, punishment, or ferocious persecution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. It appears in the shared cultural lexicon of mythology and genre fiction.
Connotations
Equally strong infernal/menacing connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used in similar literary, fantasy, or metaphorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hellhound” in a Sentence
[possessive] hellhound (e.g., the devil's hellhound)hellhound of [abstract noun] (e.g., hellhound of war)hellhound on the trail/prowl/huntVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hellhound” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- Not standard. Figurative use 'hellhound intensity' possible but rare.
American English
- Not standard. Figurative use 'hellhound determination' possible but rare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in literary analysis, mythology, or folklore studies.
Everyday
Rare. Used figuratively for intense criticism or a relentless person. 'My boss was a real hellhound about the deadline.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hellhound”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hellhound”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hellhound”
- Misspelling as 'hell hound' (should be one word or hyphenated: hell-hound).
- Using it for any scary dog instead of a supernatural/figuratively evil one.
- Confusing it with 'hellion' (a mischievous person).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cerberus is the specific three-headed hellhound of Greek myth. 'Hellhound' is the general term for any such infernal canine creature.
Almost never. Its core semantics are evil and infernal. At most, it could describe relentless determination in a neutral way, but this is rare and still carries a dark tone.
No. It is a low-frequency word found mainly in literature, mythology, fantasy genres, or as a vivid metaphorical insult.
A hellhound is a supernatural demon or ghost in the form of a dog, associated with hell. A werewolf is a human who transforms into a wolf, often tied to curses or the full moon.
A mythical dog-like creature or demon associated with Hell, death, or the supernatural.
Hellhound is usually literary, mythological, informal (when used figuratively) in register.
Hellhound: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛl.haʊnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛlˌhaʊnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hellhound on my trail (blues lyricism; meaning persistent bad luck or pursuit)”
- “To have a hellhound's luck (extremely bad luck)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HOUND from HELL. Combine the two words: HELL + HOUND.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIL IS A RELENTLESS PREDATORY ANIMAL; PERSECUTION IS BEING HUNTED BY A DEMON.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative, modern sense, calling someone a 'hellhound' primarily implies they are: