English Reference
adjective · adverb · noun

dead

adj. · adv. · n.
US /ˈdɛd/ UK /dˈɛd/ dead UK spelling deading, DEd

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    adj.no longer alive.

    adj.having ceased to live; no longer possessing biological life.

    Simple

    The flowers in the vase were dead because I forgot to water them.

    In context

    The biologist examined the dead specimen to determine if the cause of death was environmental or predatory.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    adj.not working or having no power.

    adj.inoperable or lacking electrical charge.

    Simple

    I couldn't call you because my phone battery was dead.

    In context

    The technician confirmed that the server was dead and required a complete hardware replacement.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    adj.a place with no activity or people.

    adj.lacking activity, excitement, or people; unexpectedly quiet.

    Simple

    The town centre is usually dead on a Monday night.

    In context

    The party was completely dead until the band started playing and more guests arrived.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Informal

    adj.feeling extremely tired.

    adj.utterly exhausted or worn out.

    Simple

    I'm dead after that long walk in the park.

    In context

    After working a double shift at the hospital, the nurse felt dead and went straight to sleep.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    adj.having no feeling in a part of your body.

    adj.lacking physical sensation; experiencing temporary numbness.

    Simple

    My arm went dead because I was sleeping on it.

    In context

    The local anaesthetic left his jaw feeling dead for several hours after the dental procedure.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate SlangInformal

    adj.used to say that something is very funny.

    adj.used hyperbolically to indicate an extreme emotional reaction, usually to something humorous.

    Simple

    Did you see that video? I'm dead.

    In context

    The comedian's latest sketch was so relatable that the entire comment section was just people saying they were dead.

  7. 07 B1 Intermediate Informal

    adv.completely or extremely.

    adv.used as an intensifier meaning completely, absolutely, or very.

    Simple

    You are dead right about the price of this car.

    In context

    The archer was dead certain that his aim was true despite the heavy crosswinds.

  8. 08 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adv.exactly in a certain position or time.

    adv.precisely or exactly in a specific direction or at a specific time.

    Simple

    The arrow hit the target dead centre.

    In context

    The ship was heading dead ahead toward the lighthouse in the thick fog.

  9. 09 B1 Intermediate

    n.people who have died.

    n.those who are no longer living; used with 'the'.

    Simple

    In some cultures, people have festivals to remember the dead.

    In context

    The monument was erected to honour the dead who fell during the Great War.

  10. 10 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the middle of a quiet or dark time, like night or winter.

    n.the period of greatest intensity, darkness, or stillness.

    Simple

    The phone rang in the dead of night and woke everyone up.

    In context

    The explorers set out in the dead of winter, facing temperatures far below freezing.

Usage dead at the scene · dead bodies · dead after emergency


From Middle English ded, deed, from Old English dēad, from Proto-West Germanic daud, from Proto-Germanic daudaz. Compare West Frisian dead, dea, Dutch dood, German tot, Danish, Norwegian død, Norwegian Nynorsk daud.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin gem-pro *daudaz
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated