lifeless
LYF-luhs
Lifeless (adj) means Dead, or showing no signs of life. Example: “Rescuers pulled a lifeless body from the wreckage.”
adj
1
Dead, or showing no signs of life.
"Rescuers pulled a lifeless body from the wreckage."
"The garden looked lifeless after the frost."
2
Dull, flat, or lacking energy and vitality.
"The actor gave a strangely lifeless performance."
How to use lifeless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout life — either literally dead, or figuratively dull and flat.
Common pairings
a lifeless body
lifeless performance
lifeless landscape
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more lifeless
- Superlative
- most lifeless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rescuers pulled a _____ body from the wreckage.
Etymology
From Old English liflaes, formed from life + the suffix -less ("without").
Related words
Rhymes for lifeless
useless
ageless
wireless
hopeless
homeless
tireless
careless
baseless
clueless
timeless
loveless
nameless
See all rhymes for lifeless →
Frequently asked questions
What does “lifeless” mean?
The word “lifeless” means dead, or showing no signs of life. In plain terms, without life — either literally dead, or figuratively dull and flat.
How do you pronounce “lifeless”?
“Lifeless” is pronounced LYF-luhs (/ˈlaɪfləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “lifeless” in a sentence?
Here is “lifeless” used in a sentence: “Rescuers pulled a lifeless body from the wreckage.”
What part of speech is “lifeless”?
“Lifeless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lifeless” come from?
The word “lifeless” comes from Old English. From Old English liflaes, formed from life + the suffix -less ("without").
Is “lifeless” a common word?
“Lifeless” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lifeless” have?
“Lifeless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dead, or showing no signs of life.
