How to Pronounce Death

To pronounce "death", say DEATH — one syllable, IPA /diːθ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

death

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Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

/diːθ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “death”

"death" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with shibboleth and breath, if that helps it stick.

What does death mean?

noun

  1. The cessation of life and all associated processes; the end of an organism's existence as an entity independent from its environment and its return to an inert, nonliving state.

    “The death of my grandmother saddened the whole family.”

  2. (often capitalized) The personification of death as a hooded figure with a scythe; the Grim Reaper. The pronoun he is not the only option, but probably the most traditional one, as it matches with the male grammatical gender of Old English dēaþ, also with cognate German der Tod. The fourth apocalyptic rider (Bible, revelations 6:8) is male θᾰ́νᾰτος (thanatos) in Greek. It has the female name Mors in Latin, but is referred to with male forms qui and eum. The following quotes show this rider on a pale horse is his in the English Bible and she in Peter Gabriel's lyrics.

    “When death walked in, a chill spread through the room.”

Words that rhyme with death

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

shibbolethbreathmethmegadeathdalethsneathpethlethbrethbethcreathculbreath

Related words

deceasedyingdestructionendlastdemiseextinctionannihilation

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "death"?▾

"Death" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "death"?▾

The IPA transcription of "death" is /diːθ/.

What does "death" mean?▾

Death: The cessation of life and all associated processes; the end of an organism's existence as an entity independent from its environment and its return to an inert, nonliving state.

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