die-off

[ dahy-awf, -of ]

noun

1. a sudden, natural perishing of large numbers of a species, population, or community.

die-off

/ dī′ôf′ /

1. A sudden, severe decline in a population or community of organisms as a result of natural causes. Local die-offs can be caused by such factors as an unusual or extreme weather pattern, an outbreak of disease, or toxic algal blooms in a body of water. Widespread or global die-offs in which a species or group of species becomes extinct are generally associated with rapid climate change or other large-scale environmental dislocations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of die-off¹

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase die off

Idioms and Phrases

Perish one by one, as in A celibate community, the Shakers are dying off . [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

Older, white conservatives were dying off, and non-white Americans were projected to be in the majority by 2044.

From BBC

In short, it's a scenario in which the universe continues to both expand and cool - while everything within it dies off, decays, and fades away.

From BBC

In areas where bats congregate in large groups, scientists can simply trek out to caves they’re known to frequent and count them to see if they’re dying off.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hopefully, all of the algae will have died off and the winds will sweep away any remaining smell.”

From Los Angeles Times

This one will taper and die off eventually, but all summer just kept going.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate
• decrease
• diminish
• dwindle
• ebb
• fade
• fall back
• lessen
• reduce
• retreat
• shrink
• sink
• subside
• taper
• wane