deadly

1. 1
   adjective

   Able to cause death in a person or animal.

   Like a poison strong enough to stop a heart.

   The snake's bite is deadly to anyone who isn't treated quickly.

   Some wild mushrooms look harmless but are deadly if you eat them.

   Similarlethal, fatal, mortal

   Oppositeharmless, benign

   Note
2. 2
   adverb

   Used to make another word much stronger, meaning very or extremely.

   She was deadly serious about following the new rules.

   He stayed deadly calm while everyone else panicked.

   Similarextremely, utterly, absolutely, completely

   Note
3. 3
   adjective

   Wanting to harm or destroy an enemy completely.

   The two families were deadly rivals for three generations.

   He spoke of his deadly enemy with cold, settled hatred.

   Similarmortal, bitter, implacable, sworn

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Very accurate when shooting a bow, gun, or other weapon.

   The archer was deadly with a longbow at a hundred paces.

   Her aim was deadly, and she hit the target every time.

   Similaraccurate, unerring, precise, lethal

   Oppositeinaccurate, erratic

   Note
5. 5
   adverb

   In a way that makes something seem like death.

   Her face turned deadly pale when she heard the news.

   The whole room went deadly quiet as the lights dimmed.

   Similardeathly

   Note
6. 6
   adjectivecolloquial

   Extremely boring and not fun at all.

   The lecture was absolutely deadly from start to finish.

   We sat through a deadly afternoon of forms and paperwork.

   Similarboring, dull, tedious, tiresome

   Oppositeexciting, riveting, interesting

   Note
7. 7
   adjectivedialectalIrelandNewfoundland

   Really good: impressive, excellent, or admirable.

   That was a deadly performance, and the crowd loved every minute.

   She's a deadly painter whose work sells out fast.

   Similarawesome, brilliant, excellent, great

   Oppositeawful, terrible, lousy

   Note

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