adjective

deadly

deadly, fatal, lethal

This is a deadly poison.

This is a deadly poison.

The meeting was held in deadly silence.

The meeting was held in deadly silence.

He has a deadly sense of humor.

He has a deadly sense of humour.

((a deadly sth.)) a deadly (sth.) A deadly snake bit him.

Synonyms: fatal, lethal, mortal; Antonyms: harmless, safe

From Old English 'dēadlīc', from 'dēad' (dead) + '-līc' (-ly). Literally 'death-like'.

Think of 'dead' + '-ly'. It describes something that can cause death.

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