deadly

Everyday

1. Able to kill or very likely to cause death: a deadly poison, a deadly snake. tree →
2. Very great or complete: deadly serious, deadly quiet. tree →
3. In Australian slang, "deadly" can mean excellent or awesome, especially in Aboriginal English. tree →
4. Very accurate and dangerous in a game: a deadly shot at goal. tree →

In the lessons

In science and safety, some animals, plants and substances are deadly: certain snakes, spiders, jellyfish, mushrooms and berries, and things like bleach mixed with other cleaners or carbon monoxide gas. Never touch or eat what you do not know; tell an adult. In Australia, deadly animals like box jellyfish and brown snakes mean following beach and bush safety signs. In stories, a deadly enemy or deadly trap creates danger. Phrases: "deadly poison", "deadly serious", "deadly silence", "the seven deadly sins".

Examples

• Some mushrooms are deadly, so never eat wild ones. tree →
• The box jellyfish has a deadly sting. tree →
• She was deadly serious about winning. tree →
• A deadly silence filled the haunted house. tree →
• Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas with no smell. tree →
• The striker had a deadly shot. tree →
• That new song is deadly, mate! (Australian slang) tree →
• The castle had a deadly trap behind the door. tree →
• The bite was deadly and the Farmer felt that he must die. tree →

Note

Despite ending in -ly, "deadly" is usually an adjective (a deadly snake). Comparison: deadlier, deadliest. Not every scary-looking creature is deadly, and some deadly ones look harmless. In maths, "deadly" never changes numbers; it just describes danger.

In Jewish tradition

In the Psalms it means enemies who wish to kill. In Ezekiel it means mortally wounded. In the primary lessons: In science and safety, some animals, plants and substances are deadly: certain snakes, spiders, jellyfish, mushrooms and berries, and things like bleach mixed with other cleaners or carbon monoxide gas. Never touch or eat what you do not know; tell an adult. In Australia, deadly animals like box jellyfish and brown snakes mean following beach and bush safety signs. In stories, a deadly enemy or deadly trap creates danger. Phrases: "deadly poison", "deadly serious", "deadly silence", "the seven deadly sins".

Examples

• From the wicked that oppress, my deadly enemies, that compass me about. (Writings PSA.17.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put My sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man. (Prophets EZK.30.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Despite ending in -ly, "deadly" is usually an adjective (a deadly snake). Comparison: deadlier, deadliest. Not every scary-looking creature is deadly, and some deadly ones look harmless. In maths, "deadly" never changes numbers; it just describes danger.