Die: meaning, definitions and examples

This is a general term used when someone or something stops living. It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Many people die each year from preventable diseases
• My pet hamster died last night

This phrase is a gentle, respectful, and polite way to talk about someone's death. It is often used in sensitive situations to avoid harshness.

• I'm sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away
• He passed away quietly in his sleep

Often used in more technical or medical contexts, it can also mean the end of a period of validity. When referring to death, it can sometimes sound cold or clinical.

• The patient expired at 3:00 AM due to heart failure
• Your driver's license will expire next month

This word is usually a more formal and poetic way to say someone has died. It can be used in literature, formal speeches, or obituaries.

• He departed this life in peace, surrounded by his loved ones

This is often used to describe death in disasters, wars, or other tragic situations. It carries a connotation of something unexpected or violent.

• Many perished in the earthquake
• Tragically, thousands perished during the war

See the first entry for context and examples.

Used to describe any device, machine, or system when it ceases to function. It is a more neutral and straightforward term.

• The printer stopped working after the power outage.
• My old laptop just stopped working one day.

Often used to describe machines or vehicles that stop functioning properly. It can also refer to a person losing emotional control.

• Our car broke down on the way to the beach.
• She broke down in tears during the meeting.

Commonly used when tasks, plans, or attempts do not succeed. It often suggests that expectations were not met.

• The experiment failed because of a calculation error.
• He failed the math test.

This word can refer to a singular cube-shaped object used in games, or the verb meaning to cease living. The context will determine which meaning is intended. When talking about games or manufacturing, it describes a small cube marked with numbers or symbols on each side. While in everyday speech, it refers to the end of life.

• Roll the die to see who goes first.
• My grandfather passed away; he died last night.

Dice is the plural form of die when referring to the small cube-shaped objects used in games. It is used when talking about more than one such object. This word is common in contexts related to board games, gambling, and various forms of entertainment.

• The game requires you to roll two dice to move your piece.
• He threw the dice and landed on Park Place.

This word is used to describe a three-dimensional geometric shape with six equal square faces. It can also refer to smaller, specific objects shaped like a cube, such as ice cubes or sugar cubes. Often found in mathematical contexts, and in daily speech related to small cube-shaped objects.

• The ice cubes are melting in my drink.
• A Rubik's Cube is a famous puzzle toy.