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Definition of hella

hella

/ˈhɛl.ə/
hel · la
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hella Lexical Profile

hella Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

American (slang) Extremely; very; to a great degree.

Example

"That new burrito spot downtown is hella good."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

American (slang, used as a determiner before plural or uncountable nouns) A large amount or number of; many or much.

Example

"There were hella people waiting in line outside the concert venue."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

'Hella' is strictly informal slang originating in Northern California; unlike standard intensifiers, it can function both as an adverb modifying adjectives ('hella good') and as a determiner/adjective modifying plural or mass nouns ('hella people', 'hella money').

• Rhymes for hella

• Nearby Words

helium
helix
hell
hella
hellas
hellbender
hellbent

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the San Francisco Bay Area (specifically Oakland) in the late 1970s, the word is likely a contraction of the phrase 'hell of a' or 'hell of a lot of'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hella. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hella
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