Death Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：end of life (death)

death 🔊

/dɛθ/

The end of life; when a person or living thing stops living.

Death symbol gravestone with white flowers in peaceful garden

end of life 🔊

➕

/ɛnd əv laɪf/

The permanent and irreversible cessation of vital functions in a living organism.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English dēaþ, Germanic origin; related to Dutch dood, German Tod.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a clock stopping at 'D' for death: Done, Ended, All The Halt.

📖 Example

After a long and peaceful life surrounded by family, her grandmother’s death was met with both sadness and gratitude for her time with them. 🔊 After a long and peaceful life surrounded by family, her grandmother’s death was met with both sadness and gratitude for her time with them.

🔗 Collocations

cause of death – The factor that resulted in someone's demise

death penalty – The punishment of execution for a crime

death toll – The number of people who died in an event

🔄 Synonyms

demise (n) – A formal term for death, often used for someone important.

passing (n) – A gentle euphemism for death.

decease (n) – A legal or formal term for the end of life.

🚫 Antonyms

birth (n) – The start of life.

life (n) – The condition of being alive.

immortality (n) – The state of living forever.

🌱 Derivatives

dead (adj) – No longer alive.

deadly (adj) – Capable of causing death.

deathly (adv) – In a manner resembling death.

📖 Cultural Story

Death comes from Proto-Germanic *dauþuz, from PIE root *dheu- meaning 'to die'. It is one of the oldest words in English, appearing in Beowulf.