Word
terminally
Phoneticster·mi·nal·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɝmənəɫi/
UK/tˈɜːmɪnəli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that cannot be cured and will lead to death. It can also describe something that is failing completely and cannot be fixed.
adv. in a manner that is incurable or fatal; in an extreme or final state of decline.
Examples
“The patient is terminally ill and needs comfort care.”
“After years of mismanagement, the local factory was terminally unprofitable and had to close its doors.”
“While some analysts hoped for a recovery, the political movement appeared terminally fractured, with its core members unable to agree on even the most basic policy goals.”
Examples
simple
“The patient is terminally ill and needs comfort care.”
contextual
“After years of mismanagement, the local factory was terminally unprofitable and had to close its doors.”
complex
“While some analysts hoped for a recovery, the political movement appeared terminally fractured, with its core members unable to agree on even the most basic policy goals.”
Usage
Commonly modifies adjectives like 'ill', 'unprofitable', or 'boring' to indicate an irreversible state.
Pitfall
He is terminal ill
He is terminally ill
Learners often use the adjective 'terminal' instead of the adverb 'terminally' to modify another adjective.
Real-World Examples
“A shocking documentary about a woman who pretended her child was terminally ill.” “Bill supporters argue improving care services and giving terminally ill people "autonomy" over their final weeks must go hand in hand.” Etymology
From terminal + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADVERB
Domain
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/terminally