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What is the Meaning of “Death”?

Death
/dɛθ/

The end of a person's or animal's life; the state of being no longer alive.

Definition of Death

Quick Meaning of Death

The end of a person's or animal's life; the state of being no longer alive.

Detailed Definition of Death

The permanent end of all life functions in a person, animal, or plant.

How to Pronounce Death

IPA: /dɛθ/
death

Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).

Tip: The 'th' sounds like the 'th' in 'think', not like in 'this'.

Full pronunciation guide for “death” →

Origin and Etymology of Death

Old English death, from Proto-Germanic dauthi-, related to dead.

How to Use Death in a Sentence

Each example shows “death” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.

  • “The doctor announced the patient's death at midnight.”
    A2 formal
  • “Many people attended the funeral after his death.”
    A2 formal
  • “The sudden death of the old tree surprised everyone.”
    A2 daily

Synonyms and Antonyms of Death

Common Synonyms for Death

Smart Synonyms for Death — When to Use Each

ending
as a simple, neutral term for the finish
expiration
when referring to the time when something stops
cessation
in formal or medical contexts for the complete

Antonyms of Death

See all synonyms for “death” →

Common Collocations with Death

These phrases pair with “death” in everyday English:

  • sudden death
  • death penalty
  • fear of death
  • cause of death
  • time of death

Common Mistakes When Using Death

Even fluent speakers slip up with “death”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:

✗ Wrong: He was death in an accident.
✓ Correct: He died in an accident.
Why: Use the past tense verb 'died', not the noun 'death' with 'was'.
✗ Wrong: The death of the child is very sad.
✓ Correct: The death of the child is very tragic.
Why: For serious loss, 'tragic' or 'tragic' convey greater respect than 'sad'.

Other Forms of Death

Frequently Asked Questions About Death

What is the meaning of "Death"?

The end of a person's or animal's life; the state of being no longer alive.

How do you pronounce "Death"?

The IPA is /dɛθ/. The 'th' sounds like the 'th' in 'think', not like in 'this'.

What part of speech is "Death"?

"Death" is a noun at A2 level (Common European Framework).

What are synonyms for "Death"?

Common synonyms include ending, expiration, extinction.

How do you use "Death" in a sentence?

For example: "The doctor announced the patient's death at midnight."

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