WordGarden.iodemise
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪmˈaɪz/
US
- /dɪˈmaɪz/
Meanings
Noun
death, especially in formal or euphemistic use
the end, collapse, or disappearance of something
Beyond the definition
The demise of something is not just an end; it is often the final result of a slow decline. We use it for more than people, too. It fits for empires, companies, habits, trends, and ideas, especially when their fall feels serious or irreversible.
The word sounds more formal than a plain "death" or "end," and it carries a feeling of loss. You might read about "the demise of a once-powerful kingdom" or "the financial demise of a company."
"Demise" refers to an end, usually one that follows a period of weakening. It can mean death, especially in formal or legal-style wording like "upon her demise," and it is commonly used for things such as empires, careers, relationships, institutions, and ideas.
Think of an old building slowly crumbling over time; that feeling is a good example. Or imagine a once-popular trend fading out of daily life—that can also be called a demise. It suggests more than a sudden stop: there is usually a process of decline or fading away before the final end.
Historically, "demise" also had a legal meaning in property law, where it could refer to the transfer of property by lease. In older legal language it may also be used with meaning close to death. That older legal use helps explain why the word still sounds formal and weighty.
Today, while it appears in legal documents, "demise" is most often used figuratively to describe important endings with a sense of loss. When you hear it, expect a story of decline, and expect that ending to feel complete.
Examples
- 1
Literary legacy
After the author's demise, his letters were donated to the library.
- Usagesomeone's demise
a formal way to talk about their death
- 2
Royal death
The queen's demise was announced on national television.
- 3
Payment trends
Many people predicted the demise of cash, but coins and bills are still common.
- Patternthe demise of + thing
the end of it
- 4
Business failure
Poor planning and rising costs led to the demise of the startup.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- demisenounverb
Forms
- demisedpast tenseverbnoun
- demisespluralnounverb
- demising-ing formverbnoun