noun

deathtrap

DEHTHT-rap

Deathtrap (noun) means a building, vehicle, or structure so unsafe that it could easily kill someone. Example: “The old fire escape was a deathtrap, rusted through in three places.”

noun

A building, vehicle, or structure so unsafe that it could easily kill someone.

"The old fire escape was a deathtrap, rusted through in three places."

"Inspectors condemned the factory as a deathtrap after the wiring fault."

In fiction, an elaborate trap a villain sets to kill the hero rather than simply finishing them off quickly.

"The spy escaped the deathtrap seconds before the room flooded."

How to use deathtrap

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething extremely dangerous — a building, vehicle, or situation likely to kill someone.

Common pairings

a total deathtrap call something a deathtrap

Word forms

deathtraps plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old fire escape was a _____, rusted through in three places.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of "death" + "trap" — a trap that leads to death.

Frequently asked questions

What does “deathtrap” mean?

The word “deathtrap” means a building, vehicle, or structure so unsafe that it could easily kill someone. In plain terms, something extremely dangerous — a building, vehicle, or situation likely to kill someone.

How do you pronounce “deathtrap”?

“Deathtrap” is pronounced DEHTHT-rap (/ˈdɛθtɹæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “deathtrap” in a sentence?

Here is “deathtrap” used in a sentence: “The old fire escape was a deathtrap, rusted through in three places.”

What part of speech is “deathtrap”?

“Deathtrap” is a noun.

How many meanings does “deathtrap” have?

“Deathtrap” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building, vehicle, or structure so unsafe that it could easily kill someone.

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Words that end with P