electrocute

/ɪˈlektrəkjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlektrəkjuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈlek-trə-ˌkyüt/ (ame, mw)

1.動詞及物C1

釋義

to make a person or animal die when an electric current goes through the body

例句

Eve was electrocuted when the wet wire touched her shoulder.

passive: be electrocuted in an accident

A broken lamp electrocuted the hotel worker during the night shift.

同義詞

shock
Usually means electricity hit someone, but not necessarily that they died.
fry
Informal and vivid; often used in speech or headlines rather than neutral reporting.

electrocute + object

be electrocuted

Usually used for fatal contact with wires, machines, or power lines. In everyday reporting, this sense often appears in the passive: be electrocuted.

❌He was electrocuted, but he recovered in hospital.

✅He got an electric shock, but he recovered in hospital.

💡if someone is electrocuted, they die; use electric shock for a non-fatal injury.

2.動詞及物C1

釋義

to kill a convicted person as a legal punishment by using electricity

例句

The state electrocuted the prisoner after the final appeal was denied.

legal subject + electrocute + prisoner

At that time, the law allowed the state to electrocute convicted murderers.

同義詞

execute
General legal term for putting someone to death; it does not name the method.
put to death
Formal phrase for carrying out a death sentence by any method.

electrocute + convicted person

be electrocuted

Usually used in legal or historical discussion of capital punishment. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about accidental death from electricity.

❌The judge electrocuted the prisoner yesterday.

✅The state electrocuted the prisoner yesterday.

💡this sense usually describes the execution itself, not the judge's personal action.

electrocute — verb