Word
demise
US/dɪˈmaɪz/
UK/dɪmˈaɪz/
Definitions
01the end of something
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the end of a system, organization, or idea, especially when it fails.
n. the termination of existence or operation; the downfall of an institution, system, or project.
“The rise of online shopping led to the demise of many traditional department stores.”
“Political analysts continue to debate whether the sudden demise of the coalition government was inevitable or the result of specific tactical errors.”
02death
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a formal way to talk about someone's death.
n. a formal or euphemistic term for the death of a person, particularly one of high status.
“The entire nation mourned the sudden demise of the beloved leader.”
“The solicitor was tasked with managing the estate following the unexpected demise of the primary shareholder.”
Antonyms
03legal transfer
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. the transfer of property or power to someone else by a legal document.
n. the conveyance or transfer of an estate by lease or will, or the transmission of royal authority to a successor.
“The demise of the crown happens immediately upon the death of the reigning monarch.”
“The legal documents outlined the demise of the family estate to the eldest son for a period of ninety-nine years.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'demise of the crown' in constitutional law.
Synonyms
04to transfer property
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Technical
v. to give or rent property to someone through a legal agreement.
v. to convey property by will or lease; to transmit an estate to an heir.
“The landlord agreed to demise the land to the farmer for ten years.”
“The testator intended to demise the ancestral home to his descendants, ensuring the property remained within the family line.”
Usage
This verb is transitive and typically requires a direct object representing the property.
Real-World Examples
“Along with the demise of the flat oyster, the three-dimensional structures that provide habitat for more than 100 marine species have disappeared.” “The exact nature of its disappearance is still heavily debated, but it’s likely a number of factors contributed to the meg’s demise.” “This vision is no longer tenable, and no one is more responsible for its demise than Israel itself.” Etymology
From Middle English demyse, dimise, dimisse, dymyse, from Middle French démise, the feminine singular past participle of démettre (“to put down, relinquish”); from Latin dēmissa, feminine singular of perfect passive participle of dēmittō. The "death" and "end" senses derive by way of euphemism from the legal sense, as a person's death was a common way that the legal demise could be accomplished. The verb is from Middle English dimisen, from the noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/demise