deadly
adjective/ˈdedli/
/ˈdedli/
(comparative deadlier, superlative deadliest)
More deadly and deadliest are the usual forms. You can also use most deadly.- causing or likely to cause death synonym lethal
- a deadly weapon/disease
- He was charged with possession of a deadly weapon.
- deadly poison
- The cobra is one of the world's deadliest snakes.
- The terrorists have chosen to play a deadly game with the civilian population.
- (figurative) The loss of skills training was deadly for the economy.
- [only before noun] extreme; complete
- I'm in deadly earnest.
- We sat in deadly silence.
- They are deadly enemies (= are full of hatred for each other).
- The missile found its target with deadly accuracy.
- extremely effective, so that no defence is possible
- His aim is deadly (= so accurate that he can kill easily).
- It was the deadly striker's 11th goal of the season.
- The man possessed an absolutely deadly charm.
- (informal) very boring
- The lecture was absolutely deadly.
- (also more frequent deathly)like a dead person; suggesting death
Word OriginOld English dēadlīc ‘mortal, in danger of death’ (see dead, -ly).
Check pronunciation:
deadly