WordGarden.ioperish
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɛrɪʃ/
US
- /ˈpɛrɪʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to die, especially in a sudden, violent, or disastrous way
to be destroyed, decay, or cease to exist
Beyond the definition
To perish means to die, especially in a sudden, harsh, or tragic way. Think of sailors perishing at sea during a storm or crops perishing in a drought. It is a stronger word than simply "die," and it often suggests a serious or complete loss. You might also say something perishes if it decays and breaks down over time, like food going bad or rubber becoming brittle.
The word carries a sense of finality. While we all eventually perish, the term is often used for situations where life is lost unexpectedly. A character in a story might "perish in the flames," or people in an old tale may "perish in the desert." It is a dramatic word that carries real weight.
The word "perish" means to suffer death, especially in a sudden, violent, or untimely way. While "die" is a general term for ceasing to live, "perish" suggests a more complete and often tragic end. For example, "Many soldiers perished during the battle" paints a starker picture than saying they simply "died."
Perish can also describe the process of decaying or deteriorating over time, particularly when referring to organic matter. "The fruit will perish if left out too long" means it will rot and become unusable. This usage emphasizes the breakdown and loss of something valuable. In industry, the term is often used for materials like rubber or gaskets that "perish" and lose their elasticity.
Historically, "perish" carried a sense of being utterly destroyed or lost - not just in death, but also in reputation or fortune. You might read about someone's "name perishing from memory," meaning they are forgotten. This older meaning still subtly influences how we use the word today to describe things that cease to exist.
You will often find "perish" used in dramatic contexts - literature, historical accounts, and news reports of disasters. It adds a sense of gravity and finality to events involving loss. It is not a word you would typically use for everyday occurrences like a houseplant dying; it is reserved for more significant or impactful endings.
So, whether describing the end of a life, the decay of matter, or the fading of memory, "perish" speaks to the inevitability of loss and the fragility of existence.
Examples
- 1
Ferry disaster
Many passengers perished when the ferry sank.
- 2
Fire rescue
Several firefighters perished in the blaze.
- 3
Plants
Without water, the seedlings will perish in a few days.
- 4
Exposure
The hikers nearly perished from cold and hunger.
- Patternperish from + cause
die because of it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Lost hopes
After months with no news, their hopes of rescue slowly perished.
- 6
Rejected idea
"Perish the thought!" said Lena. "I'm not quitting now."
- Phraseperish the thought
used to reject an unpleasant or unwanted idea
- 7
Academic pressure
Young academics often feel they must publish or perish.
- Phrasepublish or perish
publish work regularly or risk losing your academic career
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- perishverb
Forms
- perishedpast tenseverb
- perishing-ing formverb
- perishesverb