Dead
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Definitions
4 meaningsNo longer alive; having lost all vital functions.
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No longer alive
The bird was found dead in the garden.
💡 Simply: Imagine your pet fish stopped moving in its bowl. It's not swimming around anymore, it's just still. That fish is dead. Basically, if something was alive and now it's not, it's dead.
👶 For kids: Not alive anymore.
More Examples
The actor played a dead character in the play.
After the accident, the car was declared dead.
How It's Used
"The cat is dead."
"The patient was declared dead."
No longer active, functioning, or effective.
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No longer active or effective; completely without feeling
The battery is dead, so the remote won't work.
💡 Simply: Have you ever had a phone battery that's totally out of juice? It can't do anything. That's a dead phone. Also, imagine your joke didn't make anyone laugh; then, it's a dead joke.
👶 For kids: When something doesn't work anymore.
More Examples
The phone had a dead signal in the mountains.
The party was dead with no one dancing.
How It's Used
"A dead battery."
"Dead silence in the room."
Absolutely certain; sure.
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Completely certain or sure.
She was dead sure she had locked the door.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are 100% sure that your favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla. You know it, no doubt about it! That’s being dead sure!
👶 For kids: When you know something for sure, for sure!
More Examples
I am dead certain the test will be easy.
He's dead right about what's going on here.
How It's Used
"He was dead certain that she was lying."
People or animals that are no longer alive.
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The dead are those who are no longer alive.
The dead were honored at the memorial service.
💡 Simply: The people who aren't alive anymore.
👶 For kids: People or animals that have died.
More Examples
The soldiers fought bravely, but many of the dead were never found.
It is important to respect the dead.
How It's Used
"The dead are mourned by their families."
Idioms & expressions
dead and buried
Completely finished or forgotten.
"After the scandal, his career was dead and buried."
dead tired
Extremely tired.
"I was dead tired after working all day."
dead on arrival (DOA)
Referring to a person or object that is dead at the time of arrival
"The patient was dead on arrival at the hospital."
a dead end
A situation that offers no chance of progress or success.
"The investigation reached a dead end with no new leads."
dead heat
A race or competition that ends in a tie.
"The race ended in a dead heat."
in dead earnest
Very serious; not joking.
"I was in dead earnest when I told you to go."
From Old English *dēad*, from Proto-Germanic *daudaz* (adjective). Cognate with Dutch *dood*, German *tot*, and Old Norse *dauðr*.
The word 'dead' has been used since Old English times, retaining its core meaning of absence of life. Its usage has extended over time to include figurative meanings of inactivity or absence of feeling.
Memory tip
Think of the opposite of alive – a person who is no longer breathing and has no heartbeat.
Word Origin
"lacking life, deceased"