WordGarden.iosuicide
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈuːɪsˌaɪd/
US
- /ˈsuəˌsaɪd/
Meanings
Noun
the act of intentionally killing oneself
an act or decision that is disastrously self-defeating
Adjective
relating to deliberate self-killing or a risk of it
involving an attack or mission in which the attacker expects to die
Beyond the definition
Suicide is the act of intentionally ending one's own life. It is a serious and sensitive subject, and in real life it is often linked to deep emotional pain, mental illness, trauma, or very hard life situations. It is usually not seen as a simple or careless choice, but as the result of intense suffering. Today, the subject is often discussed in the context of mental health, support, and prevention.
The way people talk about it also matters. Many mental health professionals prefer phrases like "died by suicide" or "took their own life" instead of "committed suicide," because the older phrase can sound judgmental. The word can also appear in a wider sense in expressions like "political suicide" or "career suicide," where it means doing something that badly damages one's position or future.
Suicide is the act of intentionally ending one's own life. As a topic, it demands sensitivity and an acknowledgment of its immense complexity. It is not a sign of character failure or weakness; instead, it frequently stems from deep-seated mental health conditions such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or severe anxiety. Often, external factors like trauma, isolation, or substance abuse create a "perfect storm" of hopelessness. It is crucial to recognize that for many, suicidal thoughts are not necessarily a desire to be dead, but an urgent, desperate need for emotional or physical pain to cease.
The history of the word reflects changing social values. Originating from Latin roots meaning "self-killing," suicide was for centuries a taboo subject and was often treated as a crime or moral failing. Today, the focus has shifted more toward public health, accessible mental healthcare, and crisis intervention. Using person-centered language is part of this change; by saying someone "died by suicide," we avoid language that can imply blame or sin.
Beyond the literal definition, the word is also used metaphorically to describe self-destructive behavior in other contexts. For instance, "political suicide" or "career suicide" refers to actions that effectively end one's professional standing or reputation.
In the arts, suicide has often been used as a tragic narrative theme. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, for example, presents a double suicide driven by despair and misunderstanding, while modern literature may use the subject to open conversations about mental health, suffering, and the need for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a local crisis hotline or mental health professional immediately. Help is available.
Examples
- 1
Public health
The city launched a new suicide prevention campaign.
- 2
Medical emergency
He was treated in hospital after a suicide attempt.
- 3
Respectful reporting
Her family later said she had died by suicide.
- Usagedie by suicide
a respectful way to report this
- 4
Investigation
Investigators found a suicide note in the apartment.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Political risk
Closing the factory before the election would be political suicide.
- Phrasepolitical suicide
an action that would badly damage someone's public support or career
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- suicidenounverb
Forms
- suicidespluralnounverb
- suicidedpast tenseverbnoun
- suiciding-ing formverbnoun