noun
Uncommon
carcass
KAH-kuhs
Carcass (noun) means the dead body of an animal. Example: “Vultures circled above the carcass in the desert.”
noun
1
The dead body of an animal.
"Instead, the majority of studies involve freezing the carcasses until time permits the analysis."
— Maria S. Johnson, Chapter 10: Animal Body Composition Methods (2005)
"Vultures circled above the carcass in the desert."
2
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 notesIn 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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- carcasses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Vultures circled above the _____ in the desert.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman carcois, related to Old French charcois — the exact roots further back are uncertain.
Synonyms
View more →
carcase
corpse
Related words
Frequently asked questions
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.
