deathly

[ deth-lee ]

adjective

1. causing death; deadly; fatal.
2. like death:

   a deathly silence.

3. of, relating to, or indicating death; morbid:

   a deathly odor from the sepulcher.

adverb

1. in the manner of death.
2. very; utterly:

   deathly afraid.

deathly

/ ˈdɛθlɪ /

adjective

1. deadly
2. resembling death

   a deathly quiet

Derived Forms

• ˈdeathliness, noun

Other Words From

• deathli·ness noun
• pre·deathly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deathly¹

before 1000; Middle English dethlich, Old English dēathlīc. See death, -ly

Example Sentences

I’d like to think that soon after Nov. 5, this deathly pallor will lift, but we all must be prepared for all the ugly efforts after the election to deny the will of the people.

From Salon

It is a game involving the hottest league in America, yet the atmosphere on Figueroa is deathly cold.

From Los Angeles Times

The other reason I agreed to this date is my deathly fear of aging and losing my attractiveness to men.

From Los Angeles Times

“As soon as I sat down in that chair for the first screen I was deathly terrified,” he said, re-spiraling in real time.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was deathly afraid. I didn’t know about anything else but living here.”

From Los Angeles Times