suffocate
Suffocate (verb) means to die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen. Example: “The trapped miners nearly suffocated before rescuers reached them.”
How to use suffocate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop breathing (or make someone stop breathing) from lack of air, or to feel overwhelmed as if you can't breathe.
Word forms
more suffocate comparative, suffocated past tense, suffocates singular, most suffocate superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The trapped miners nearly _____ before rescuers reached them.
Etymology
From Latin suffocare, from sub- ("under, up to") plus fauces ("throat"). First recorded in English in the 1500s.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for suffocate
See all rhymes for suffocate →Frequently asked questions
What does “suffocate” mean?
The word “suffocate” means to die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen. In plain terms, to stop breathing (or make someone stop breathing) from lack of air, or to feel overwhelmed as if you can't breathe.
How do you pronounce “suffocate”?
“Suffocate” is pronounced SUH-fuh-kayt (/ˈsʌfəkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “suffocate” in a sentence?
Here is “suffocate” used in a sentence: “The trapped miners nearly suffocated before rescuers reached them.”
What is another word for “suffocate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “suffocate” include smother.
What part of speech is “suffocate”?
“Suffocate” is a verb.
Where does the word “suffocate” come from?
The word “suffocate” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Latin. From Latin suffocare, from sub- ("under, up to") plus fauces ("throat"). First recorded in English in the 1500s.
How many meanings does “suffocate” have?
“Suffocate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen.