Demise
/dɪˈmaɪz/
nounC1
Definition
Demise is a formal word that means the death of a person or the end of something like a company, idea, or system. It shows that something stops existing or working. It is often used in serious or official situations.
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⚡ See It in Action
The death of a person
- •The sudden demise of the famous actor shocked many fans.
- •After his demise, his family held a quiet funeral.
- •The book talks about the demise of a great leader.
The end or failure of something non-living (company, idea, system)
- •The demise of the old company left many people without jobs.
- •Many blame poor management for the demise of the once-popular store.
- •The demise of the old technology made way for new inventions.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "demise" like "end," but more serious and permanent—like something stops forever, not just for a short time.
- ✓Picture a sunset that marks the end of the day, but even more final, like a closed book that you cannot open again.
- ✓It’s the feeling when someone or something important is gone and will not return.
- ✓Sounds like "de-MICE" → imagine mice running away when something ends or disappears completely.
- ✓Think of stories where a kingdom falls or a hero dies—their demise changes everything.
- ✓NOT like "stop" (can be temporary), "demise" means final ending.
- ✓NOT like "death" only for people—demise can be for ideas, companies, or events too.
- ✓NOT like "failure" (something does not work well), demise means complete end or death.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Death: the end of life (Use when talking only about people or animals)
- •Collapse: sudden failure or falling down (Use for companies, systems, or buildings that fail quickly)
- •Termination: official stopping (Use in formal or legal contexts)
- •Passing: polite word for death (Use when talking gently about someone's death)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "de-" (down, away) + "mise" (from Latin "mittere," meaning to send)
- •Etymology: From Old French "demis," meaning sending away, used to mean death or end
- •Historical development: Originally used for death or transfer of property, now mostly means death or end of something
- •Modern usage: Used in formal writing or speech to describe death or the end of organizations, ideas, or systems
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does the word "demise" change the feeling when we talk about the end of something compared to just saying "end"?
•Can "demise" be used for small things, or does it only fit important or serious endings? Why?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The sudden demise of the company caused many employees to ___ their jobs.
2.After the CEO’s demise, the business struggled to ___ its position in the market.
3.Unlike a simple stop, demise means a ___ and permanent end.
4.People often speak respectfully about the ___ of a loved one.
5.The demise of old technology usually leads to ___ new inventions.
6.The company’s demise was due to poor management and ___ decisions.
7.When we hear about the demise of a famous person, it often causes ___ among their fans.