Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

mortal coil

American  
[mawr-tuhl koil] / ˈmɔr təl ˈkɔɪl /

noun

mortal coils plural
  1. the physical body regarded as the shell or casing in which the immortal spirit lives.

  2. life, with all its turmoil, confusion, and trouble.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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.

See Examples For:

And, while it would be easier for you to slip this mortal coil and leave your assets in the hands of your sons to do with that money as they please, it’s your money.

From MarketWatch Jun. 23, 2026

You have to strain to see him, way up there, high above this mortal coil.

From Slate Feb. 16, 2026

"Maybe, by the time I shuffle off this mortal coil, there might be a little more awareness… of the need to bring things back together again," he says.

From BBC Jan. 28, 2026

Logan Roy, one of the richest men on the planet, shuffles off this mortal coil in his private jet’s toilet.

From Salon Apr. 21, 2025

Since you shuffled off this mortal coil, and entered into eternity, you have not known a moment of happiness or peace.

From Flower, Fruit, and Thorn Pieces; or, the Wedded Life, Death, and Marriage of Firmian Stanislaus Siebenkaes, Parish Advocate in the Burgh of Kuhschnappel. by Jean Paul

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training