deadly
DEHD-lee
Deadly (adj) means Capable of causing death. Example: “Some wild mushrooms are deadly, so never eat one you cannot identify.”
adj
1
Capable of causing death.
"Some wild mushrooms are deadly, so never eat one you cannot identify."
"The snake's venom is deadly if left untreated."
"A deadly combination of speed and ice caused the crash."
2
Extremely accurate or effective.
"The striker's aim was deadly, and she scored from every shot."
"He has a deadly sense of timing when he tells a joke."
"His serve was deadly all through the tournament."
adv
1
Extremely; used to intensify an adjective.
"The film was deadly serious about its message."
"It's deadly quiet in the library during exam week."
"The meeting was deadly boring."
How to use deadly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to kill, or (informally) extremely something — usually extremely boring or extremely skilled.
Common pairings
deadly weapon
deadly virus
deadly accurate
deadly serious
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Word forms
- Comparative
- deadlier, more deadly
- Superlative
- deadliest, most deadly
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Some wild mushrooms are _____, so never eat one you cannot identify.
Etymology
From Old English deadlic, built from dead plus -lic (the ancestor of -ly), literally "death-like".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for deadly
See all rhymes for deadly →Frequently asked questions
What does “deadly” mean?
The word “deadly” means capable of causing death. In plain terms, able to kill, or (informally) extremely something — usually extremely boring or extremely skilled.
How do you pronounce “deadly”?
“Deadly” is pronounced DEHD-lee (/ˈdɛdli/ in IPA).
How do you use “deadly” in a sentence?
Here is “deadly” used in a sentence: “The snake's venom is deadly if left untreated.”
What part of speech is “deadly”?
Depending on how it is used, “deadly” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “deadly” come from?
The word “deadly” comes from Old English. From Old English deadlic, built from dead plus -lic (the ancestor of -ly), literally "death-like".
Is “deadly” a common word?
“Deadly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “deadly” have?
“Deadly” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: capable of causing death.
What is the difference between "deadly" and "deathly"?
"Deadly" means capable of causing death, as in a deadly poison. "Deathly" means resembling death or suggesting it, as in "deathly pale" or "deathly silence," and does not mean actually able to kill.
What is the difference between "deadly" and "lethal"?
Both mean able to cause death, and they often overlap. "Lethal" tends to sound more technical or clinical, as in "a lethal dose," while "deadly" is more general and can also mean extremely effective, as in "deadly accurate."
What is the difference between "deadly" and "fatal"?
"Deadly" describes something with the potential to cause death, such as a deadly weapon, before any harm has happened. "Fatal" usually describes something that actually did cause death, such as a fatal accident.
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