death
DEHTH
Death (noun) means the end of life; the permanent cessation of all vital functions in a living thing. Example: “The disease can cause death if left untreated.”
noun
1
The end of life; the permanent cessation of all vital functions in a living thing.
"The disease can cause death if left untreated."
"Her death came as a shock to everyone who knew her."
"The death of the old oak tree left a gap in the garden."
2
The end or collapse of something non-living, used figuratively.
"The internet was blamed for the death of the local newspaper."
"Many fear that rising rents will mean the death of small independent shops."
"The new law spelled the death of the old fishing industry here."
name
1
The personification of death, traditionally shown as a hooded, skeletal figure carrying a scythe.
"In the painting, Death stands at the edge of the battlefield."
How to use death
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe end of life, or figuratively the end of anything (an era, an industry, a relationship).
Common pairings
cause of death
death sentence
death of the industry
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like death.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- deaths
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The disease can cause _____ if left untreated.
Etymology
From Old English death, from a Proto-Germanic root related to the verb die.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for death
See all rhymes for death →Frequently asked questions
What does “death” mean?
The word “death” means the end of life; the permanent cessation of all vital functions in a living thing. In plain terms, the end of life, or figuratively the end of anything (an era, an industry, a relationship).
How do you pronounce “death”?
“Death” is pronounced DEHTH (/ˈdɛθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “death” in a sentence?
Here is “death” used in a sentence: “The disease can cause death if left untreated.”
What is another word for “death”?
Words with a similar meaning to “death” include tomb, celestial transfer, decease, decomposition, defunction and dematerialization.
What is the opposite of “death”?
The opposite of “death” — its antonyms — are (antonym(s) of“beginning of life”): birth, (antonym(s) of“maintenance of existence”): life, advent, beginning and birth.
What part of speech is “death”?
Depending on how it is used, “death” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “death” come from?
The word “death” comes from Old English. From Old English death, from a Proto-Germanic root related to the verb die.
Is “death” a common word?
“Death” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between death and dying?
Death is the end state — the point at which life has permanently ceased. Dying is the process leading up to it, the period when the body is failing but life has not yet ended. Someone can be dying for weeks or months; death itself is the single moment that process finally reaches.
What is the difference between death and dead?
"Death" is a noun naming the end of life — an event or state. "Dead" is an adjective describing something that has undergone death. A person experiences death and afterwards is dead. So death is the thing that happens, while dead is the condition that results from it once it has.
What is the opposite of death?
The most direct opposites are life and birth. Life is the state that death brings to an end, while birth is the beginning that death mirrors as the close. In everyday use "life" is the natural antonym, though "survival" also stands opposite when death is the outcome being avoided or escaped.
Is death a formal word?
Death is neutral and plain, suitable in any register from medicine to conversation. Because it can sound blunt, people often soften it with gentler expressions such as "passing," "loss," or "passing away," especially when comforting someone. The word itself is neither formal nor casual — it is simply direct and factual.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include death:
