How to pronounce hellish
Say it like HEL-ish. Hellish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hellish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEL
- ish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hellish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of hellish
American and British speakers say hellish in essentially the same way: /ˈhɛlɪʃ/ in the US and /ˈhɛlɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEL-ish.
What does hellish mean?
- infernal, related or similar to hell.
- causing great pain, discomfort or distress.“I woke up from a hellish noise coming from the house next door.”
Where does hellish come from?
From hell + -ish.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with hellish
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hellish.
Questions about saying hellish
How do you pronounce hellish?
Say HEL-ish. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛlɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈhɛlɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hellish?
Hellish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEL). Broken into parts: HEL · ish.
Do Americans and Brits say hellish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɛlɪʃ/ and the British form is /ˈhɛlɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.