DictionaryAI

death

noun
DETH/dɛθ/

Pluraldeaths

6 meanings of death

Practice

  1. 1
    loss of lifenouncountable or uncountable
    The end of life, when a living thing stops living for good.

    Like a candle flame going out: once it stops, it cannot burn again.

    His death came suddenly after a short illness.

    We were all sad to hear about her grandfather's death.

    UsageDeath is the thing, die is the verb: his death, he died.

    Similardemise, passing, dying

    Oppositelife, birth

    Note
  2. 2
    executionnoununcountable
    Being put to death as a punishment ordered by a court.

    The court sentenced the killer to death.

    In some countries, the punishment for the crime is still death.

    UsageSay sentenced to death.

    Similarexecution

  3. 3
    collapsenounusually singular
    The end or failure of something, like a plan or a business.

    Like a fire going out and leaving nothing but cold ashes.

    The death of the old factory left the town without jobs.

    Online shopping brought about the death of many small bookstores.

    UsageSay the death of a plan, shop or idea.

    Similarend, demise, collapse, downfall

    Oppositebirth, rise

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    big strainnounfigurativelyusually singular
    Something that causes a person great stress, tiredness, or shame.

    These long meetings will be the death of me.

    This hot weather will be the death of me if it lasts all week.

    UsageSay this will be the death of me as a joke.

    Similarundoing, ruin, bane

  2. 5
    Grim Reapernoununcountable
    A make-believe figure of death shown as a hooded man holding a large blade.

    In the story, Death knocked softly at the old man's door.

    The play ends when Death leads the king away by the hand.

    Note
  3. 6
    spiritualnounfigurativelyuncountable
    A state of being cut off from spiritual life or God.

    The preacher warned that sin leads to spiritual death.

    He spoke of the death of the soul, not of the body.

    Oppositelife

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of death apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from Old English "dēaþ" and is related to German "Tod" and Dutch "dood".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts