deadly
pronunciation
How to pronounce deadly in British English:
UK [ˈdedli]
How to pronounce deadly in American English:
US [ˈdedli]
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- Adjective:
- causing or capable of causing death
- of an instrument of certain death
- extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
- involving loss of divine grace or spiritual death
- exceedingly harmful
- (of a disease) having a rapid course and violent effect
-
- Adverb:
- as if dead
- as if produced by death
- (used as intensives) extremely
Word Origin
- deadly (adj.)
- Old English deadlic "mortal, subject to death," also "causing death;" see dead + -ly (1). Meaning "having the capacity to kill" is from late 14c. (Old English words for this included deaðbærlic, deaðberende).
Example
- 1. The practice can have deadly consequences .
- 2. Envy is not just a deadly sin , it is also an emotional reality .
- 3. This official fear stemmed from the deadly nature of bird flu .
- 4. All parts of economics can be made interesting , or deadly dull , depending on the instructor .
- 5. Exposure to this is deadly .