Hades

noun

Ha·des ˈhā-(ˌ)dēz

1

: the Greek god of the underworld

2

: the underground abode of the dead in Greek mythology

3

: sheol

4

often not capitalized : hell sense 1a

Did you know?

In Greek mythology, Hades is both the land of the dead and the god who rules there. Hades the god (who the Greeks also called Pluto) is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, who rule the skies and the seas. The realm called Hades, where he rules with his wife Persephone, is the region under the earth, full of mineral wealth and fertility and home to dead souls. Hades today is sometimes used as a polite term for Hell ("It's hotter than Hades in here!").

Word History

Etymology

Greek Aidēs, Āidēs, Haidēs

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler

The first known use of Hades was in 1597

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hades.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hades. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

hades

noun

ha·des

ˈhād-(ˌ)ēz

: hell sense 1

Word of the Day

lachrymose

Listen to the pronunciation of lachrymose

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Commonly Confused Words Quiz

I went to the ______ store to buy a birthday card.

stationary stationery

Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ