# mutilated

/ˈmjutəˌɫeɪtəd/ (US) · /mjˈuːtɪlˌeɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mutilated
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

severely damaged or changed so that the original shape is lost. It often describes something that has been cut or broken in a violent way.

For teachers: having suffered severe disfigurement or the loss of a limb or essential part. Often used as a participial adjective to describe the state of a body or object after violent damage.

## Examples

- The ancient statue was found in a mutilated state with no arms.
- The historical documents were so badly mutilated by the fire that they were impossible to read.
- The forensic team worked to identify the remains from the crash site, which had been so severely mutilated by the impact that dental records were required.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'become', or attributively before a noun to describe physical damage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.