noun
Uncommon
euthanasia
yoo-thuh-NAY-zee-uh
Euthanasia (noun) means Deliberately ending a life, human or animal, to relieve suffering from an incurable condition. Example: “The vet recommended euthanasia to spare the dog further pain.”
noun
1
Deliberately ending a life, human or animal, to relieve suffering from an incurable condition.
"The vet recommended euthanasia to spare the dog further pain."
"Assisted dying laws vary hugely from country to country."
How to use euthanasia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEnding suffering by deliberately ending life, usually for medical reasons.
When to use it
A clinical, formal term; "put down" or "put to sleep" are the everyday equivalents for animals.
Common pairings
voluntary euthanasia
euthanasia laws
request euthanasia
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Word forms
- Plural
- euthanasias
Fill the gap
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The vet recommended _____ to spare the dog further pain.
Etymology
From Greek eu- ("good") + thanatos ("death") — literally "a good death," first recorded in English in 1606.
Class of 1606
euthanasia joined the language around 1606.
See the full Class of 1606 →
Synonyms
View more →
mercy killing
Rhymes for euthanasia
See all rhymes for euthanasia →Frequently asked questions
What does “euthanasia” mean?
The word “euthanasia” means deliberately ending a life, human or animal, to relieve suffering from an incurable condition. In plain terms, ending suffering by deliberately ending life, usually for medical reasons.
How do you pronounce “euthanasia”?
“Euthanasia” is pronounced yoo-thuh-NAY-zee-uh (/ˌjuθəˈneɪʒə/ in IPA).
How do you use “euthanasia” in a sentence?
Here is “euthanasia” used in a sentence: “The vet recommended euthanasia to spare the dog further pain.”
What part of speech is “euthanasia”?
“Euthanasia” is a noun.
Where does the word “euthanasia” come from?
The word “euthanasia” dates back to around 1606 and comes from Greek. From Greek eu- ("good") + thanatos ("death") — literally "a good death," first recorded in English in 1606.
Is “euthanasia” a common word?
“Euthanasia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
