How to Pronounce "hellfire and damnation"
expression
ˈhɛɫˌfaɪɹ/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /dæmˈneɪʃən
HEL-fye-ur and dam-NAY-shun
hˈɛlfaɪə/ /ˈænd/ /dæmnˈeɪʃən
HEL-fy-uh and dam-NAY-shun
Definition
An old-fashioned phrase describing the terrible punishments of hell, often used in religious speeches or to frighten people into behaving morally.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhɛɫˌfaɪɹ/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /dæmˈneɪʃən
British English
hˈɛlfaɪə/ /ˈænd/ /dæmnˈeɪʃən
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HEL-fye-ur and dam-NAY-shun
UK
HEL-fy-uh and dam-NAY-shun
Listen in Context
The preacher spoke of hellfire and damnation every Sunday.
Many old sermons warned about hellfire and damnation.
He tried to scare the children with stories of hellfire and damnation.
My grandmother used to threaten us with hellfire and damnation if we misbehaved.