How Do You Spell DEATHLY?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛθli] (IPA)

The word "deathly" is spelled with a "th" sound at the beginning, followed by an "ef" sound, then a "th" sound again, and ending with a "lee" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈdɛθ.li/. The word is often used to describe something that is extremely deadly or dangerous. For example, "She was deathly afraid of heights" means she was extremely afraid of heights. The spelling may confuse some people as they may expect it to be spelled as "deadly" with a "d" sound.

DEATHLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Deathly is an adjective that describes something as pertaining to death, being strongly reminiscent of death, or having a close association with death. It can also refer to a state of extreme fear or panic. The term is derived from the word "death," indicating an intense connection with the concept of dying or the end of life.

    In its literal sense, deathly can describe a condition or symptom that is likely to result in death. This can include life-threatening illnesses, severe injuries, or other situations that pose an imminent threat to someone's life. For example, someone who is deathly ill is extremely sick and might be close to death.

    Figuratively, deathly can be used to express an intensity or extremity of quality. It can describe an atmosphere that is eerie, very quiet, and reminiscent of death, or actions and behaviors that are associated with death. For instance, a deathly silence refers to a profound hush or stillness that creates an atmosphere of tension or fear.

    Furthermore, deathly can also convey a state of extreme fear or nervousness. It can describe someone who is deathly afraid or terrified of something, suggesting a paralyzing and overwhelming fear.

    Overall, deathly encompasses various meanings relating to death, ranging from literal connections to the end of life, associations with mortality, and descriptions of fear or intensity reminiscent of death.

Common Misspellings for DEATHLY

Etymology of DEATHLY

The word deathly has its origins in the Middle English word deedly. It can be traced back to the Old English word deadlic, which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word daudlijaz. This Proto-Germanic term ultimately comes from the root word dauþaz, meaning death or dead. The addition of the suffix -ly in Middle English resulted in the word deedly, which later evolved into deathly.

Similar spelling words for DEATHLY

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