Death
/dɛθ/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe act of dying; the end of life.
/dɛθ/
The end of life.
The death of the beloved pet brought tears to the children's eyes.
💡 Simply: When someone stops living. Like, when your pet fish stops swimming, that's death for the fish.
👶 For kids: When a person or animal stops living.
More Examples
The detective investigated the suspicious death.
Death is a natural part of life's cycle.
How It's Used
"The news reported the death of a famous actor."
"The patient's death was attributed to a heart attack."
"Shakespeare explored themes of life and death in his plays."
The process of ceasing to live or the state of being dead.
/dɛθ/
The process of dying.
The doctor explained the death process to the family.
💡 Simply: How someone goes from alive to not alive anymore.
👶 For kids: The time when a person or animal stops living.
More Examples
She found peace during the slow death.
How It's Used
"The death process was agonizing."
Figuratively, the end or destruction of something.
/dɛθ/
The cause of something stopping.
The death of his ambitions left him feeling empty.
💡 Simply: When something good is no longer around; like the 'death' of a favorite TV show when it's canceled.
👶 For kids: When something is no longer around.
More Examples
The death of the old regime signaled a new era.
The economic crisis led to the death of many small businesses.
How It's Used
"The death of his dreams shattered him."
"The death of the company was inevitable."
Idioms & expressions
death knell
A signal or event that indicates the end or failure of something.
"The company's bankruptcy filing was the death knell for its remaining employees."
a fate worse than death
A situation that is so terrible that it's considered more unbearable than death.
"Being imprisoned and tortured was considered a fate worse than death."
dance with death
To take part in a dangerous activity, often with a high risk of injury or death.
"The stunt performer was known to dance with death on a regular basis."
From Old English *dēaþ*, Proto-Germanic *dauthuz*, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰew-*, meaning 'to die, perish'.
Used extensively in ancient literature, philosophical discussions, and religious texts.