corpse
kawps
Corpse (noun) means a dead body, usually of a person. Example: “Police found the corpse near the riverbank.”
noun
1
A dead body, usually of a person.
"Police found the corpse near the riverbank."
"The detective examined the corpse for clues."
"In the play, the corpse lay on the floor for the entire first act."
verb
1
To burst into uncontrollable laughter while performing, breaking character.
"The actor corpsed halfway through the scene and couldn't finish his line."
"Two of the cast corpsed during the funeral scene and the audience laughed too."
"I tried not to corpse on stage, but his silly face set me off."
How to use corpse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dead body; in theatre slang, to lose it laughing on stage.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "corps" (an organized group, especially military), which is pronounced differently despite the similar spelling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
discover a corpse
corpse on stage
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Word forms
- Plural
- corpses
- Third person singular
- corpses
- Past tense
- corpsed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police found the _____ near the riverbank.
Etymology
From Old French cors, "body," from Latin corpus. The silent "p" was added later in English spelling to match the Latin original. A doublet of "corps" and "corpus".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “corpse” mean?
The word “corpse” means a dead body, usually of a person. In plain terms, a dead body; in theatre slang, to lose it laughing on stage.
How do you pronounce “corpse”?
“Corpse” is pronounced kawps (/koɹps/ in IPA).
How do you use “corpse” in a sentence?
Here is “corpse” used in a sentence: “Police found the corpse near the riverbank.”
What is another word for “corpse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “corpse” include anatomy, body, cadaver, carcass, carrion and corse.
What part of speech is “corpse”?
Depending on how it is used, “corpse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “corpse” come from?
The word “corpse” comes from Latin. From Old French cors, "body," from Latin corpus. The silent "p" was added later in English spelling to match the Latin original. A doublet of "corps" and "corpus".
Is “corpse” a common word?
“Corpse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “corpse” have?
“Corpse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dead body, usually of a person.
What is the difference between corpse and cadaver?
Corpse and cadaver both refer to a dead body, but cadaver is the more clinical or scientific term, often used in medical or anatomical contexts such as dissection. Corpse is the more general, everyday word for a dead body.
What does corpse mean as a verb?
As a verb, to corpse means to burst into uncontrollable laughter while performing, breaking character on stage or on set. This usage is especially common in British theatre and acting slang.
Is corpse a formal or informal word?
Corpse is a neutral, everyday word for a dead body, used in both casual and formal contexts such as news reports, fiction, and conversation. The verb sense meaning to break into laughter while acting is more informal theatre slang.
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