deathly

[deth-lee]

adjective

1. causing death; deadly; fatal.

2. like death.

   a deathly silence.

3. of, relating to, or indicating death; morbid.

   a deathly odor from the sepulcher.

adverb

1. in the manner of death.

2. very; utterly.

   deathly afraid.

deathly

/ ˈdɛθlɪ /

adjective

1. deadly

2. resembling death

   a deathly quiet

Other Word Forms

• deathliness noun
• predeathly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deathly¹

before 1000; Middle English dethlich, Old English dēathlīc. See death, -ly

Example Sentences

The plant fragments at our feet darken, wither, and die almost immediately, as if deathly allergic to our positivity.

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It’s no surprise that many Latinos are obsessed with all things haunted, deathly and Halloween.

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Brad Jacobs, the billionaire CEO of building-products distributor QXO, devoted a chapter in his book to “electric meetings,” noting many gatherings are deathly dull and full of passive listeners.

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In a scene also reminiscent of past October failures, just a few steps from the party, the Dodgers clubhouse was deathly quiet.

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He could have been totally fine, or he could have gotten deathly ill.

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