Die
/daɪ/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo stop living; to become dead; to undergo death.
verbTo stop living; to become dead; to undergo death., followed by of as an indication of direct cause; general use
Sentence Examples
If you don't eat, you die.
Never try to die.
Around fifty people die of hunger every day in the camp.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old battery will eventually ____ and need replacement soon.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
If you don't eat, you ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English deyen, probably from Old Norse deyja, from Proto-Germanic *dawjaną (“to die”). Displaced native Old English sweltan, whence Modern English swelt, and Old English steorfan, whence modern starve.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Returne with ſpeed, time paſſeth ſwift away,
Our life is fraile, and we may dye to day."
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene i:
"The cheeks drop in; the body bows;
Man dies: nor is there hope in dust: […]"
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 54:
""What did she die of, Work'us?" said Noah.
"Of a broken heart, some of our old nurses told me," replied Oliver[…]."
— 1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], chapter 6, in Oliver Twist; […], volume (please specify |volume=I, II, or III), London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC:
"In 1971 or 72, Mom's sister Carolyn Weimer died of breast cancer."
— 2000, Stephen King, On Writing, Pocket Books, published 2002, page 85:
"She lived several weeks; but afterwards she died from epilepsy, to which malady she had been previously subject."
— 1865 March 4, British Medical Journal, page 213:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old battery will eventually ____ and need replacement soon.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
If you don't eat, you ____.