Dictionary

deathly en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈdɛθli/ (UK)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. Appearing as though dead, or on the verge of death.
   • He has a deathly pallor.
   • I rushed towards her, and embraced her with ardour; but the deathly languor and coldness of the limbs told me, that what I now held in my arms had ceased to be the Elizabeth whom I had loved and cherished. 1816 June – 1817 April/May (date written), [Mary Shelley], chapter VI, in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. […], volume III, London: […] [Macdonald and Son] for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, published 1 January 1818, →OCLC, page 120:
2. Deadly, fatal, causing death.
3. Extreme.
   • He has a deathly fear of crocodiles.

Forms

Deriveds

deathlily · deathliness · deathly pale

Translations (15)

ru роково́й (fatal, causing death) · pl zabójczy (fatal, causing death) · fi kuolon (appearing as though dead) · ru фата́льный (fatal, causing death) · fi tappava (fatal, causing death) · de tödlich (appearing as though dead) · pl śmiercionośny (fatal, causing death) · enm dedly (appearing as though dead) · de tödlich (fatal, causing death) · ru смерте́льный (appearing as though dead) · ru смерте́льный (extreme) · fi kuolettava (fatal, causing death) · ru смерте́льный (fatal, causing death) · pl śmiertelny (fatal, causing death) · fi kuollakseen (extreme)

deathly en · ADV

Pronunciation

• /ˈdɛθli/ (UK)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. In a way that resembles death.
   • He was deathly pale.
2. Extremely, dreadfully.
   • The water was deathly cold.
   • He was deathly afraid of crocodiles.
   • And indeed, [Sydney] Sweeney’s quotes are deathly dull. On changing her body for “Christy,” she said: “It’s so fun just not being yourself.” 2025 December 21, Esther Zuckerman, “Is Sydney Sweeney Today’s Most Perplexing Movie Star?”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

Forms