corpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "corpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to death, anatomy, or horror, among others. Example: "The detective discovered a corpse in the abandoned building, which led to a deeper investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or maybe it's because she's been stuck with Brannan, so all the viewers will subconsciously equate the image of her with the image of Gerard Butler's corpse.

The Guardian - Film

Only by leaving behind the decaying corpse of the old Europe can we keep the European legacy of égaliberté alive.

The Guardian

"You do feel like things are on the edge of something going horribly wrong when you've got people piling up at the entrance and cars coming with corpses in the back and driving off with them before you've got a chance to test the corpse or isolate it," he says.

The Guardian

An hour later, the car is gone and a corpse lies on a trolley wrapped in a blanket.

The Guardian

Elizabeth wants her daddy back, not a corpse".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Cantonese village culture, there is a group of corpse handlers called the ng jong lo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Children are kept away from the corpse handlers, who are believed to chew garlic to hide the stench of death and take perverse pleasure in their line of work.

The Guardian - Opinion

8 Women (Francois Ozon, 2002) 10.25pm, Sky Cinema 1 Eight women in a remote country house with a corpse upstairs and a killer on the prowl: Ozon's delicious concoction has a quintessential Agatha Christie-style plot (in fact from Robert Thomas's French play) dressed up in 50s-Hollywood-thriller mode.

The Guardian

A corpse is considered impure not just physically on account of infection and decay, but also because it is swiftly colonised by evil spirits.

The Guardian

A corpse in Australia contends with humidity, intense ultraviolet rays, peculiar soils and geology and a unique array of insects and animals.

The Guardian

I didn't even know it was a corpse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics like death, consider the context and audience. "Corpse" can be a direct and clinical term, but alternatives like "remains" or "the deceased" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "corpse" in casual conversation or lighthearted writing. The term carries a heavy connotation and can sound jarring or insensitive if used inappropriately. Opt for gentler alternatives like "passed away" or "is no longer with us" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "corpse" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a dead body, usually of a human being. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "corpse" is used as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "corpse" is a noun referring to a dead body, most commonly a human body. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in "News & Media". While acceptable, it is important to be mindful of the context as using the word "corpse" might be considered harsh depending on your audience and purpose. Alternatives such as "dead body" or "the deceased" might be more appropriate in formal or sensitive settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dead body

Direct synonym, replacing "corpse" with more common terms.

cadaver

Formal synonym for a human corpse, often used in medical or legal contexts.

remains

General term for what is left after death, suitable in various situations.

deceased

Euphemistic term referring to a person who has died.

the departed

Euphemistic phrase to refer to someone who has died.

lifeless body

Emphasizes the absence of life in the body.

body of the deceased

More formal and respectful way to refer to a dead body.

mortal remains

Poetic and respectful way to refer to the body after death.

late

A respectful term to refer to the one who passed away.

stiff

Informal term for a dead body.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "corpse"?

You can use alternatives like "dead body", "cadaver", or "remains" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the word "corpse" in all situations?

No, the word "corpse" can be considered harsh or clinical. Consider the context and audience. Euphemisms like "the deceased" or "passed away" may be more appropriate in sensitive or formal situations.

What is the difference between "corpse" and "cadaver"?

"Corpse" is a general term for a dead body, while "cadaver" specifically refers to a human corpse used for medical or scientific purposes.

How do I use "corpse" in a sentence?

The word "corpse" typically functions as a noun. For example: "The detective discovered a "corpse" in the abandoned building."