decapitate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
decapitatesimple
-
decapitatessimple
-
have decapitatedperfect
-
has decapitatedperfect
-
am decapitatingprogressive
-
are decapitatingprogressive
-
is decapitatingprogressive
-
have been decapitatingperfect progressive
-
has been decapitatingperfect progressive
Past
-
decapitatedsimple
-
had decapitatedperfect
-
was decapitatingprogressive
-
were decapitatingprogressive
-
had been decapitatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of decapitate
1605–15; < Late Latin dēcapitātus, past participle of dēcapitāre, equivalent to dē- de- + capit- (stem of caput ) head + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
When the bad-tempered Queen of Hearts cried “off with their heads!” in Alice in Wonderland, she was ordering her henchmen to decapitate those who had offended her. The verb decapitate comes from Latin de ”away” or “down” and caput “head.” Don’t confuse it with kaput, a German word that means “broken” or destroyed.” Of course, if someone were to decapitate you, you’d be pretty well kaput.
Vocabulary lists containing decapitate
The Secret Life of Bees
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Bless Me, Ultima
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Body Language: Capit, Capt ("Head")
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Rubio said Sunday it was unrealistic to take more risks in the raid to decapitate more of the regime, which is fair enough.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
Surfer 1: “Taking off on a wave is like surfer bowling out here. How do you not decapitate someone?”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2022
If the plotters had hoped to decapitate the Nazis, the attempt had the opposite effect: Hitler’s doctor recalled him saying over and over, “I am invulnerable. I am immortal,” according to Moorhouse.
From Washington Post • Aug. 9, 2022
Hurricanes need warm water — which is warmed by the air — for fuel and are harmed by wind shear, which changes in upper level winds that can decapitate storm tops.
From Seattle Times • May 11, 2022
The poor truck was rattling to the point I expected the hood to fly off and decapitate a couple of pine trees.
From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
