dead-end
|dead/end|
/ˈdɛdˌɛnd/
no exit
Etymology
'dead-end' originates from the combination of 'dead,' meaning 'no longer living,' and 'end,' meaning 'the final part of something.'
'dead-end' evolved from the literal meaning of a road that ends without an exit to a metaphorical use describing situations with no progress.
Initially, it meant a literal road with no exit, but over time it evolved to describe situations with no prospects.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a road or passage that has no exit.
The street is a dead-end, so you'll have to turn around.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to come to a point where no further progress is possible.
The project dead-ended when they ran out of funding.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
describing a situation or job with no prospects for progress or advancement.
He felt stuck in a dead-end job with no future.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35