hellbender

H4E1L1L1B3E1N1D2E1R1

noun

A giant salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms.

Similar
Allegheny alligatorgrampusmenopomehellbender salamanderlasagna lizardsnot otterspotted water geckomud puppy
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Meanings

nounhellbender (plural hellbenders)

plural hellbenders

  1. A giant salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms.

    Synonyms: Allegheny alligator, grampus, menopome, hellbender salamander, lasagna lizard, snot otter, spotted water gecko

  2. A reckless, headstrong person.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA giant salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms.

Similar
Allegheny alligatorgrampusmenopomehellbender salamanderlasagna lizardsnot otterspotted water gecko

More synonyms by meaning

nounlarge salamander of North American rivers and streams

Similar
mud puppyCryptobranchus alleganiensis
Broader
salamander
Also see
allegheny alligatorlasagna lizardsnot otter

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From hell + bender, possibly from hell-bent.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian голям америкнски саламандър
  • голям америкнски саламандър (goljam ameriknski salamandăr)Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
Catalan salamandra gegant americana
  • salamandra gegant americanaCryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
German Schlammteufel
  • SchlammteufelCryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
Hungarian mocsári ördög
  • mocsári ördögCryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
Korean 미국장수도롱뇽
  • 미국장수도롱뇽 (migukjangsudorongnyong)Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
Polish skrytoskrzel, diabeł błotny
  • skrytoskrzelCryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
  • diabeł błotnyCryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
Russian америка́нская саламандра
  • америка́нская саламандра (amerikánskaja salamandra)Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, a giant salamander of North America that inhabits large, swiftly flowing streams with rocky bottoms
Cite this entry
APA

hellbender. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hellbender

MLA

“hellbender.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hellbender. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hellbender,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hellbender.

Source: hellbender on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.