Deadliest
ˈded.li.ɪst
Definitions
Most likely to cause death or destruction.
ˈded.li.ɪst
Causing or capable of causing death; most likely to kill.
The deadliest shark species are often found in warmer waters.
💡 Simply: Imagine a game where the goal is to *not* get killed. The deadliest player is the one who comes closest to winning by taking everyone out, making them the biggest threat.
👶 For kids: The thing that is most likely to cause someone to die is the deadliest.
More Examples
The accident was the deadliest in the city's history.
Poison dart frogs are known for having the deadliest toxins in the animal kingdom.
How It's Used
"The deadliest strain of the virus spread rapidly."
"The tank's deadliest weapon was its main gun."
"The deadliest storm in years caused widespread destruction."
From "deadly" + "-est", the suffix indicating superlative degree. "Deadly" itself comes from "dead" + "-ly", with "dead" originating from Old English.
The term 'deadliest' has been used for centuries, evolving from descriptions of battles and weapons to wider applications such as describing the impact of diseases or environmental disasters.
Memory tip
Think of the deadliest snake or the deadliest weapon. It's the one most likely to kill.
Word Origin
"Relating to death or causing death. The root “dead” originally meant “lifeless.”"