English Lexicon

Dead-End

/ˈdɛdˌɛnd/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A street or path that is closed at one end.

    "The road led to a dead-end, forcing us to turn back."
  2. 2

    A situation or condition that offers no possibility of progress or advancement.

    "After several failed attempts, he realized he was at a dead-end in his career."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'dead-end' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'dead', meaning 'no longer alive' or 'inactive', with 'end', referring to a termination point. It evolved to describe a street or path that has no exit, symbolizing a situation with no further progress.

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