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Added 9 October 2026

deathly

/ˈdɛθli/ adjective

Categories: Describing WordsRare Words

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about deathly at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. Appearing as though dead, or on the verge of death.
    He has a deathly pallor.
  2. Deadly, fatal, causing death.
  3. Extreme.
    He has a deathly fear of crocodiles.

adverb

  1. In a way that resembles death.
    He was deathly pale.
  2. Extremely, dreadfully.
    The water was deathly cold.

Origin

From Middle English dethlich, from Old English dēaþlīċ, equivalent to death + -ly.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: mortaldeadlydeathlikedeadfatalmortallyfatallylethallydeathydeathfuldeathsomedeath-like

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