Is 'perdition' just another word for 'hell'?

Very close, but 'perdition' specifically refers to the *state* of being damned or eternally lost, often used in the phrase 'eternal perdition'. 'Hell' can be the place itself.

Can I use 'perdition' in everyday conversation?

It would sound very formal, literary, or deliberately dramatic. It is not used for ordinary situations.

What is the most famous use of the word?

The title of the graphic novel and film 'Road to Perdition', which uses it metaphorically for a path to ruin and death.

Does 'perdition' have a verb form?

No standard contemporary verb form. Historically, 'perdit' (to destroy) existed but is now obsolete.

Is “perdition” formal?

Perdition is usually literary/formal/religious in register.

How do you pronounce “perdition”?

Perdition: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈdɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈdɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

perdition: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/pəˈdɪʃ(ə)n/US/pərˈdɪʃən/

Literary/Formal/Religious

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “perdition” mean?

Complete and eternal damnation or spiritual ruin.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Complete and eternal damnation or spiritual ruin; utter destruction.

Theological: the state of final damnation or hell. General/Figurative: a state of complete loss, ruin, or utter failure.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to appear in British contexts due to historical religious and literary texts in the cultural consciousness.

Connotations

Both: Strongly negative, associated with eternal punishment, doom, and irrevocable loss.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in both dialects; almost exclusively found in religious, literary, or highly rhetorical contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “perdition” in a Sentence

The [noun] faces/faces the threat of perdition.to be in/perditionto save/damnation to perdition

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

eternal perditionroad to perditionthreaten with perdition

medium

souls in perditionfear of perditionsave from perdition

weak

financial perditionpolitical perdition

Examples

Examples of “perdition” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The sermon warned that sin would perdition the soul. (archaic/poetic)

American English

(No standard verb form in contemporary use.)

adverb

British English

(No standard adverb form.)

American English

(No standard adverb form.)

adjective

British English

(No standard adjective form. 'Perditious' is obsolete.)

American English

(No standard adjective form.)

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used. Hyperbolic metaphor: 'The merger led the company to financial perdition.'

Academic

Rare; limited to theological, historical, or literary studies discussing concepts of damnation.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Used for dramatic, often ironic effect: 'Forgot my keys? That's the road to perdition.'

Technical

No standard technical usage.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “perdition”

Strong

eternal damnationeverlasting fireabyss

Neutral

damnation hell doom

Weak

ruin downfall destruction

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “perdition”

salvation redemption heaven paradise

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “perdition”

Using it as a synonym for 'perplexity' (confusion with 'perplexed').
Using it for temporary or trivial setbacks.
Mispronunciation: /pɜːrˈdɪʃən/ (like 'permanent').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Very close, but 'perdition' specifically refers to the *state* of being damned or eternally lost, often used in the phrase 'eternal perdition'. 'Hell' can be the place itself.
: It would sound very formal, literary, or deliberately dramatic. It is not used for ordinary situations.
: The title of the graphic novel and film 'Road to Perdition', which uses it metaphorically for a path to ruin and death.
: No standard contemporary verb form. Historically, 'perdit' (to destroy) existed but is now obsolete.
: Complete and eternal damnation or spiritual ruin.
: Perdition is usually literary/formal/religious in register.
: Perdition: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈdɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈdɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“on the road to perdition (figurative path to ruin)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'PERmanent conDITION' of damnation. A PER-manent, con-DITION of ruin.

Conceptual Metaphor

DAMNATION IS A DESTINATION/STATE (road to perdition, souls in perdition). LOSS IS HELL.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The character believed his treachery had condemned him to eternal .

Multiple Choice

In which context is the word 'perdition' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?