Dead Meaning and Definition
Dead
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛd/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A state of death, where all physical and biological functions have ceased.
Examples
- The coroner pronounced the person dead at the scene.
- He was found dead on the ground.
Synonyms
- Fatal
- Lifeless
Antonyms
- Alive
- Pulse
Etymology
From Old English “dæd”, ultimately from Proto-Germanic “*daiziz”, derived from Proto-Indo-European “*deiw-” (to die).
Usage Notes
Use “dead” to describe something that has ceased to function or exist in a physical or biological sense.
Cultural References
Notable appearances in pop culture include the phrase “dead or alive” in music and literature, and the concept of “dying” being used metaphorically to describe the end of a relationship.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Dead as a doornail”
- “Dead and buried”
Related Words or Phrases
- Death
- Fatal
- Lifeless
Collocations
- Dead and buried
- Dead as a doornail
- Dead and gone
Frequency of Use
Commonly used in everyday language to describe death or a lack of function, with over 1 billion estimated uses annually.
Common Misspellings
- Deid
- Deat