suicide
SOO-ih-syd
Suicide (noun) means the act of intentionally ending one's own life. Example: “The charity offers support to families affected by suicide.”
noun
1
The act of intentionally ending one's own life.
"The charity offers support to families affected by suicide."
"Doctors are trained to spot the warning signs of suicide."
2
Figuratively, an action so damaging that it destroys a person's career, reputation, or chances.
"Publicly insulting your biggest client is corporate suicide."
"Skipping the final exam would be academic suicide."
"Launching the product without any testing would be commercial suicide for a small start-up."
verb
1
To kill oneself.
"The novel's narrator suicides in the final chapter."
How to use suicide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIntentionally taking your own life — or, loosely, an action guaranteed to ruin you.
Common mistake
Style guides for news writing recommend saying someone "died by suicide" rather than "committed suicide," since "commit" implies a crime.
Common pairings
commit suicide
died by suicide
political suicide
suicide prevention
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like suicide.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- suicides
- Third person singular
- suicides
- Past tense
- suicided
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The charity offers support to families affected by _____.
Etymology
First recorded in English in the 1600s, built from Latin sui ("of oneself") plus -cide ("killing"), on the model of words like homicide.
Class of 1600
suicide joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →
taking one's own life
self-destruction
autohomicide
self-blood
self-killing
self-deletion
self-murder
self-slaughter
self-slaying
sewer slide
sillycide
suicism
Related words
Rhymes for suicide
See all rhymes for suicide →Frequently asked questions
What does “suicide” mean?
The word “suicide” means the act of intentionally ending one's own life. In plain terms, intentionally taking your own life — or, loosely, an action guaranteed to ruin you.
How do you pronounce “suicide”?
“Suicide” is pronounced SOO-ih-syd (/ˈsuɪˌsaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “suicide” in a sentence?
Here is “suicide” used in a sentence: “The charity offers support to families affected by suicide.”
What is another word for “suicide”?
Words with a similar meaning to “suicide” include autohomicide, self-blood, self-killing, self-deletion, self-murder and self-slaughter.
What part of speech is “suicide”?
Depending on how it is used, “suicide” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “suicide” come from?
The word “suicide” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin. First recorded in English in the 1600s, built from Latin sui ("of oneself") plus -cide ("killing"), on the model of words like homicide.
Is “suicide” a common word?
“Suicide” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “suicide” have?
“Suicide” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of intentionally ending one's own life.
Is suicide preventable?
In many cases, yes. It is often connected to mental health conditions such as depression, which are treatable, and to moments of crisis that pass with time. Support from professionals, crisis helplines, and trusted people can make a real difference. Free, confidential helplines are available around the clock in most countries.
What is the difference between suicide and suicidal thoughts?
Suicide refers to the act of ending one's own life, while suicidal thoughts, also called suicidal ideation, are thoughts about doing so. Having such thoughts is very different from acting on them, and many people who experience them recover with support and treatment. The thoughts are a signal to reach out.
Where can someone find help for suicidal feelings?
Help is widely available and confidential. In the United States you can call or text 988, and in the United Kingdom you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, at any time of day or night. Speaking to a doctor or a trusted friend or family member is also an important first step.
Why is it important to talk openly about suicide?
Open, careful conversation helps reduce the stigma that stops people asking for help. Research shows that gently asking someone whether they are struggling does not put the idea in their head or increase risk; instead it can bring relief and open a path toward support and treatment.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include suicide:
