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dead

adj. · adv. · n.
US //ˈdɛd// UK //dˈɛd// dead
  1. 1 no longer living (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    no longer alive.

    having ceased to live; no longer possessing biological life.

    Example

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

    Example

    The biologist examined the dead specimen to determine if the cause of death was environmental or predatory.
  2. 2 not working (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    not working or having no power.

    inoperable or lacking electrical charge.

    Example

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

    Example

    The technician confirmed that the server was dead and required a complete hardware replacement.
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  1. 3 quiet or boring (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a place with no activity or people.

    lacking activity, excitement, or people; unexpectedly quiet.

    Example

    The town centre is usually dead on a Monday night.

    Example

    The party was completely dead until the band started playing and more guests arrived.
  2. 4 very tired (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    feeling extremely tired.

    utterly exhausted or worn out.

    Example

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

    Example

    After working a double shift at the hospital, the nurse felt dead and went straight to sleep.
  3. 5 numb (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    having no feeling in a part of your body.

    lacking physical sensation; experiencing temporary numbness.

    Example

    My arm went dead because I was sleeping on it.

    Example

    The local anaesthetic left his jaw feeling dead for several hours after the dental procedure.
  4. 6 laughing hard (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Slang Informal

    used to say that something is very funny.

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

    Example

    Did you see that video? I'm dead.

    Example

    The comedian's latest sketch was so relatable that the entire comment section was just people saying they were dead.
  5. 7 completely or very (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    completely or extremely.

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

    Example

    You are dead right about the price of this car.

    Example

    The archer was dead certain that his aim was true despite the heavy crosswinds.
  6. 8 exactly (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    exactly in a certain position or time.

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

    Example

    The arrow hit the target dead centre.

    Example

    The ship was heading dead ahead toward the lighthouse in the thick fog.
  7. 9 dead people (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    people who have died.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The monument was erected to honour the dead who fell during the Great War.
  8. 10 the middle of a period (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

    the period of greatest intensity, darkness, or stillness.

    Example

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

    Example

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

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.

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