noun Uncommon

carcass

KAH-kuhs

Carcass (noun) means the dead body of an animal. Example: “Vultures circled above the carcass in the desert.”

noun

The dead body of an animal.

"Vultures circled above the carcass in the desert."

The bare frame or shell of a structure, especially one not normally visible.

"Only the carcass of the burned-out building remained."

How to use carcass

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dead body (usually an animal's), or the bare skeleton/frame of something.

When to use it

Using "carcass" for a human body is informal or dismissive rather than neutral.

carcasses plural

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Can you complete this real example?

Vultures circled above the _____ in the desert.

From Anglo-Norman carcois, related to Old French charcois — the exact roots further back are uncertain.

Origin: Old French

corpse

corpse cadaver

What does “carcass” mean?

The word “carcass” means the dead body of an animal. In plain terms, a dead body (usually an animal's), or the bare skeleton/frame of something.

How do you pronounce “carcass”?

“Carcass” is pronounced KAH-kuhs (/ˈkɑɹkəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “carcass” in a sentence?

Here is “carcass” used in a sentence: “Vultures circled above the carcass in the desert.”

What is another word for “carcass”?

Words with a similar meaning to “carcass” include corpse.

What part of speech is “carcass”?

“Carcass” is a noun.

Where does the word “carcass” come from?

The word “carcass” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman carcois, related to Old French charcois — the exact roots further back are uncertain.

Is “carcass” a common word?

“Carcass” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “carcass” have?

“Carcass” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the dead body of an animal.

corpse cadaver