euthanasia
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.”
How to use euthanasia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEnding suffering by deliberately ending life, usually for medical reasons.
A clinical, formal term; "put down" or "put to sleep" are the everyday equivalents for animals.
Word forms
euthanasias plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →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.