Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective slang, chiefly N CA Intensifier, signifies an abundance of a thing; much or many.
  • adverb slang, chiefly N CA Intensifier (modifies verbs); to a large extent; totally; very much.
  • adverb slang, chiefly N CA Intensifier (modifies adjectives); to a large degree; extremely; exceedingly.
  • interjection slang, chiefly N CA For sure; totally; hell yeah; used as a strong affirmation of something that was just said, accomplished, or revealed.
  • phrase colloquial Elision of "hell of".
  • phrase colloquial Elision of "the hell of".
  • phrase colloquial Elision of "hell have"

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Altered from intensifier hella (originally Northern California slang). See also Wikipedia:Hella (word).

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Shortened form, or elision, of phrases like "hell of" or "hell have", approximating casual speech in writing.

Support

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Examples

  • In fact, it was a helluv a lot better than I expected it to be.

    Warhound 2009

  • Had a helluv an argument with my Mum, and have felt very unsupported in my pain the past two days.

    21st January '06 logansrogue 2006

  • I'm helluv hungover, so yeah, thanks to everyone who came down last night.

    inbred Diary Entry inbred 2006

  • All the Say... replies are done, it's shaping up to be a helluv-an-issue.

    Archive 2003-03-01 Gwenda 2003

  • All the Say... replies are done, it's shaping up to be a helluv-an-issue.

    shaken & stirred Gwenda 2003

  • I almost yanked an alarm just for the helluv it after it was already going off.

    Technicalities 2008

  • We saw quick thinking, clean delivery of lines and a helluv a lot of walking and talking.

    Irish Blogs 2008

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