verb
suffocate
SUH-fuh-kayt
Suffocate (verb) means to die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen. Example: “The trapped miners nearly suffocated before rescuers reached them.”
verb
1
To die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen.
"The trapped miners nearly suffocated before rescuers reached them."
"Smoke from the fire suffocated several residents."
2
To feel overwhelmed or stifled, as if unable to breathe.
"She felt like she was suffocating under the pressure of her exams."
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.
Common pairings
suffocate to death
feel suffocated
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- suffocates
- Past tense
- suffocated
- Comparative
- more suffocate
- Superlative
- most suffocate
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.
Class of 1500
suffocate joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
