DictionaryAI

moribund

MOR-i-bund/ˈmɔːɹɪbʌnd/

Noun pluralmoribunds

3 meanings of moribund

Practice

  1. 1
    in declineadjectivefiguratively
    Losing its strength, with little life or activity left, and likely to end soon.

    The town's moribund paper mill will probably close next year.

    Few young people learn the moribund craft of making barrels by hand.

    UsageUsed of businesses or groups that are failing: a moribund industry.

    Similardying, stagnant, waning

    Oppositethriving, flourishing, booming

  2. 2
    near deathadjective
    Dying, or very close to death.

    The vet said the moribund dog would not last the night.

    Nurses moved the moribund patient to a quiet room.

    Similardying

    Note
  3. 3
    dying personnoun
    A person who is about to die.

    The nurse sat with the moribund through the long night.

    A chaplain moved among the moribund, holding hands and saying prayers.

    UsageSay the moribund for people who are dying.

    Similardying

Practice

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Origin

It comes from the Latin word moribundus, which means “dying.”

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts