dies
dies — verb
- diespresent simple I / you / we / they
- dieses3rd person singular
- diesing-ing form
- diesedpast simple
1. When a person, animal, or plant dies, their body stops working and life ends.
When a person, animal, or plant dies, their body stops working and life ends.
Kofi's grandfather died peacefully in his sleep at the age of ninety-two.
die + adverbial: died peacefully in his sleep
Many of the older trees in the forest died during the long drought.
die during + time period
The doctors told the family that their father might die from the infection.
Hui's pet rabbit died last winter after a short illness.
It was a terrible shock when the young athlete died suddenly during training.
- pass away
polite or gentle way of saying someone has died, common in formal or emotional contexts
- perish
more formal and literary; often used for violent or tragic death
- succumb to
formal; means to die after fighting an illness or injury
文法句型
die + (from/of + cause)
用法筆記
Use 'die of' when the cause is a disease or condition (die of cancer); use 'die from' when the cause is a wound, accident, or external factor (die from injuries). Frequently used with adverbials describing the manner or circumstances (die peacefully, die young, die suddenly).
常見錯誤
2. To lose your life in a particular way or situation, described by an adverb or ph
To lose your life in a particular way or situation, described by an adverb or phrase that follows the verb.
The captain died bravely, refusing to leave his ship until all the passengers were safe.
die + manner adverb: die bravely
Some believe it is better to die fighting for freedom than to live as a prisoner.
die + V-ing: die fighting
The old soldier said he wanted to die at home, surrounded by his family.
Dario's uncle died a hero after saving three children from a burning building.
文法句型
die + adverb (naturally, violently, bravely)
die + as + noun
用法筆記
This sense always requires an adverb, prepositional phrase, or noun complement to describe the manner or circumstances — you cannot use this sense without such a modifier. Distinguish from sense 1 (STOP LIVING), where 'die' can stand alone or take a simple cause (die of illness).
3. To gradually stop existing, being used, or having influence; to finish or vanish
To gradually stop existing, being used, or having influence; to finish or vanish over time.
Many local dialects in the region are slowly dying out as younger generations speak only the national language.
die out: disappear gradually (of traditions, languages, species)
The applause finally died away and the speaker continued with her presentation.
die away: become gradually quieter (of sound)
As the scandal grew worse, public interest in the charity's work died completely.
The old traditions of handmade carpentry died when the factory opened in the town.
Alessia watched the campfire until the last flames died and only ashes remained.
文法句型
die + out/away/down/off
用法筆記
This figurative sense is different from sense 1 (STOP LIVING) because the subject is not a living being but an idea, tradition, sound, light, fire, or feeling. Common phrasal verbs include 'die out' (gradual disappearance), 'die away' (fading of sound or light), 'die down' (reduction of intensity or noise), and 'die off' (one by one).
常見錯誤
4. A machine, engine, or piece of electronic equipment is said to die when it goes
A machine, engine, or piece of electronic equipment is said to die when it goes dead or ceases to run because its power is gone or a fault has developed.
Gabriel's phone died just as he was about to call for a taxi.
phone dies: runs out of battery
The car engine made a strange noise and then died completely in the middle of the highway.
engine dies: stops working due to fault
My laptop battery only lasts about three hours before it dies.
The motorbike's headlights flickered and died as Henrik rode through the dark forest road.
Imran tried to restart the generator, but it had already died from running out of fuel.
- break down
more formal; used for cars, machines, and larger equipment; not used for batteries or phones
- give out
informal; can refer to machines, batteries, or body parts failing
- go dead
informal; specifically for phones or electronic screens that lose power
文法句型
die + (on + person)
用法筆記
Commonly used in informal spoken English for personal electronics (phone, laptop, tablet). For larger machinery, 'break down' is more formal and common. Native speakers often say 'my phone died on me' to add a tone of frustration.
常見錯誤
5. To feel an emotion such as laughter, embarrassment, or shock so strongly that it
To feel an emotion such as laughter, embarrassment, or shock so strongly that it seems to overwhelm you completely.
Maeve nearly died laughing when her brother fell into the pond while trying to take a selfie.
die laughing: overwhelmed by amusement
After her teacher called her by the wrong name, Isabela said she was dying of embarrassment.
die of + emotion: overwhelmed by shame
Aylin thought she would die from boredom during the three-hour lecture about tax forms.
The children said they were dying of curiosity and begged their mother to open the big box.
- be overcome with
more formal; can be used for emotion like grief or joy
- be beside oneself with
formal; used for strong emotions like anger, joy, or worry
文法句型
die + V-ing (laughing, crying)
die + with + emotion noun
用法筆記
Always used hyperbolically — the speaker is not actually dying, but expressing an extreme emotional state. Common with 'laughing', 'of embarrassment', 'with boredom', and 'of curiosity'. 'Nearly died' is a very common fixed expression in this sense.
常見錯誤
6. To want something or someone extremely strongly, or to be very eager to do somet
To want something or someone extremely strongly, or to be very eager to do something.
After walking for hours in the heat, Cole was dying for a cold drink and some shade.
be dying for + noun: want intensely
Emily was dying to meet her favourite author at the book signing on Saturday.
be dying to + verb: eager to do
The children are dying to know what birthday presents their parents bought them.
After three weeks without pizza, the students were dying for a proper Italian meal.
- dread
to feel extremely worried or frightened about something that will happen
文法句型
be dying + for + noun
be dying + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Used predominantly in the continuous form 'be dying' (am/is/are dying, was/were dying). This is hyperbole — the speaker is not literally dying, just expressing a very strong wish. Common in everyday conversation; less appropriate in formal writing.
常見錯誤
dies — noun
- diessingular
- diesesplural
1. A metal block or mould that is used to cut, shape, or press materials such as me
A metal block or mould that is used to cut, shape, or press materials such as metal, plastic, or paper into a particular form.
The factory uses a custom steel die to stamp out car door panels from sheets of metal.
die + to + verb: purpose of the tool
Emily's grandfather worked as a die maker, creating precision moulds for the aerospace industry.
die maker: profession
The machine forces hot plastic through a die to produce pipes of a uniform thickness.
A specialised die is used to press the mint's design onto each new coin during production.
用法筆記
The plural of this sense is 'dies' (regular). Common in manufacturing, engineering, and jewellery-making contexts. 'Die' can also refer to the tool used for cutting screw threads.
常見錯誤
2. A tiny six-sided block whose faces show between one and six dots; players toss i
A tiny six-sided block whose faces show between one and six dots; players toss it in board games or gambling to get a random result.
To start the board game, each player rolls the dice and the person with the highest number goes first.
roll the dice: standard gaming phrase
Cole shook the dice in his hand and threw them across the table, hoping for a six.
A standard die has spots arranged so that opposite faces add up to seven.
Hui's little sister lost one of the dice from the game and they had to buy a new set.
用法筆記
Important: The singular form is 'die' (not 'dice'). 'Dice' is the irregular plural. In modern informal English, 'dice' is sometimes used as a singular (e.g., 'Roll a dice'), but traditional grammar prefers 'die' for the singular and 'dice' for the plural. This sense appears under the headword 'dies' because of shared spelling with the verb form, but the gaming cube is properly the word 'die' (singular) with plural 'dice'.