dying

American  

[dahy-ing] / ˈdaɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. ceasing to live; approaching death; expiring.

   a dying man.

2. of, relating to, or associated with death.

   his dying hour.

3. given, uttered, or manifested just before death.

   her dying words.

4. drawing to a close; ending.

   the dying year.

---

noun

1. the act or process of ceasing to live, ending, or drawing to a close.

dying British  

/ ˈdaɪɪŋ /

verb

1. the present participle of die 1

---

adjective

1. relating to or occurring at the moment of death

   a dying wish

dying Idioms  

1. see under die.

---

Other Word Forms

• half-dying
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dying

1250–1300; Middle English. See die ¹, -ing ², -ing ¹

Explanation

Something that's dying is about to die or is getting ready to stop existing. A shriveled up plant that hasn't been watered in days is probably dying. Dying is a process that will happen to us all: living things eventually die. But non-living things can be dying, too: a battery that doesn't have much juice left is dying, and so is a TV show that's bombing in the ratings. A craft that's losing popularity can be called a dying art. States of extreme stress or anticipation can also be described as a form of dying, as in "I'm dying to know how this book ends!"

Example Sentences

Dying to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 console and fire up the new “Legends of Zelda” game?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

Forty years later, Kendrick Lamar borrowed Gadson’s intricate rhythm pattern for “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” from the rapper’s 2012 breakthrough album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Ally Thompson of Dignity in Dying said she was "hugely disappointed".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

But it also signals a significant departure in style for the British pop star, as heard on songs such as Chains of Love and Dying For You.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

He was then to deliver a message to Lord Ashton at his club instructing him to meet Lady Constance for lunch at the Dying Swan Tearoom in two hours’ time.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• death
• decease
• demise
• expiration
• loss of life
• passing