# terminally

/ˈtɝmənəɫi/ (US) · /tˈɜːmɪnəli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/terminally
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is terminal ill" but "He is terminally ill" — Learners often use the adjective 'terminal' instead of the adverb 'terminally' to modify another adjective.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modifies adjectives like 'ill', 'unprofitable', or 'boring' to indicate an irreversible state.

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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.