Grim Reaper

noun

1. the personification of death as a man or cloaked skeleton holding a scythe.

Grim Reaper

1. A figure commonly used to represent death. The Grim Reaper is a skeleton or solemn-looking man carrying a scythe, who cuts off people's lives as though he were harvesting grain.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Grim Reaper¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Part Grim Reaper, part angel, this deathly saint had few followers, and they mostly worshipped in private.

From The Daily Beast

Our feeble attempts to push back the Grim Reaper only sharpen its cruel bite, not dull it.

From The Daily Beast

And once we work that out, as we age, we might even be able to work a stalemate with the Grim Reaper himself.

From The Daily Beast

Nate Silver meets the Grim Reaper, without all the confusing actuarial tables.

From The Daily Beast

In modern times, only a few great writers have been reprieved by the grim reaper.

From The Daily Beast

It seemed inconceivable that the grim reaper could have worked this grisly change in so short a time!

From Project Gutenberg

The thief of youth, they have called you; a highwayman, a gipsy, a grim reaper.

From Project Gutenberg

Had the grim Reaper no other harvest whitening for his sickle?

From Project Gutenberg

So would I, but rather in the direction of giving the “Grim Reaper” and the grave-diggers fewer people to bury.

From Project Gutenberg

The distinguished officers of the Confederacy are rapidly falling before the grim reaper.

From Project Gutenberg