hellion

noun

hel·​lion ˈhel-yən How to pronounce hellion (audio)
: a troublesome or mischievous person

Examples of hellion in a Sentence

My children can act like little hellions when they're bored. the little hellions were tearing through the house squirting their water pistols
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Farrow, presenting in the early scenes as an utter naif, discovers the pleasures of running cons; LuPone, who shows up a hellion, develops a sensitivity and nurturing spirit to the lost soul who’s provided her character a home. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024 The sire of a hellion, then, should feel secure in his manhood. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024 Because this was opening night of the Eras concert film, and nothing could have stopped the rowdy hellions in this crowd from singing, screaming, sobbing. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2023 These can be pushed past: Keough, certainly, evolves her performance enough when switching from one timeline to the other — toggling from music-world hellion to elder stateswoman of rock — to bring the viewer along. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hellion 

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration (influenced by hell) of hallion scamp

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hellion was in 1787

Dictionary Entries Near hellion

Cite this Entry

“Hellion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hellion. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hellion

noun
hel·​lion ˈhel-yən How to pronounce hellion (audio)
: a troublesome or mischievous person
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!