verb
mutilate
MYOO-tih-layt
Mutilate (verb) means to severely damage or disfigure something, often by cutting off a part. Example: “The vandals mutilated the statue beyond repair.”
verb
1
To severely damage or disfigure something, often by cutting off a part.
"The vandals mutilated the statue beyond repair."
2
To spoil or ruin something so badly it loses its original meaning or form.
"The editor complained that the translation had mutilated the poem's original rhythm."
How to use mutilate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo badly damage or disfigure, whether a body, an object, or a piece of work.
Common pairings
mutilate a body
mutilate a text
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Word forms
- Plural
- mutilates
- Third person singular
- mutilates
- Past tense
- mutilated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vandals _____ the statue beyond repair.
Etymology
From Latin mutilatus, the past participle of mutilare, "to maim," from mutilus, "maimed."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mutilate
See all rhymes for mutilate →Frequently asked questions
What does “mutilate” mean?
The word “mutilate” means to severely damage or disfigure something, often by cutting off a part. In plain terms, to badly damage or disfigure, whether a body, an object, or a piece of work.
How do you pronounce “mutilate”?
“Mutilate” is pronounced MYOO-tih-layt (/ˈmjuː.tɪˌleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “mutilate” in a sentence?
Here is “mutilate” used in a sentence: “The vandals mutilated the statue beyond repair.”
What is another word for “mutilate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mutilate” include maim and mangle.
What part of speech is “mutilate”?
“Mutilate” is a verb.
Where does the word “mutilate” come from?
The word “mutilate” comes from Latin. From Latin mutilatus, the past participle of mutilare, "to maim," from mutilus, "maimed.".
How many meanings does “mutilate” have?
“Mutilate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to severely damage or disfigure something, often by cutting off a part.
