deathly illness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deathly illness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a severe or life-threatening illness that is likely to lead to death. Example: "After months of battling a deathly illness, she finally found peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Years later Florens falls passionately in love with a visiting blacksmith, a free black man who has come to work on a fancy gate for Jacob's new house, and who miraculously cures Sorrow of a deathly illness.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She came to Delbanco, certain that she was deathly ill.

The New Yorker

He recalls telling his deathly ill wife that their deathly ill daughter was fine and would attend a matinee the following day.

The New York Times - Arts

He became deathly ill.

BBC

Meanwhile, Glottis has fallen deathly ill.

Wikipedia

That week I contracted a mysterious illness that came on slowly with headaches and a hacking cough, and ended with me falling up stock room stairs and wearing no make-up, because men tend to think no make-up means you're deathly ill.

Vice

That week I contracted a mysterious illness that came on slowly with headaches and a hacking cough, and ended with me falling up stock room stairs and wearing no make-up, because men tend to think no make-up means you're deathly ill.

Vice

Most of the young patients here are deathly ill with malaria, and comatose.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Olinger was deathly still.

The New Yorker

A deathly silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

They look emaciated and deathly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical situation, use "deathly illness" to convey the extreme severity and potentially fatal nature of the condition. However, be mindful of the audience and context, as it can be a sensitive phrase. Consider alternatives like "life-threatening disease" if a less dramatic tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "deathly illness" metaphorically or in contexts unrelated to health. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and can be perceived as melodramatic or insensitive. Instead, opt for more appropriate and nuanced language that fits the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deathly illness" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "deathly" modifies "illness". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, describing a severe or life-threatening condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deathly illness" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a severe, life-threatening medical condition. While considered correct and usable according to Ludwig AI, it's not as commonly used as other alternatives like "serious illness" or "critical condition". The phrase primarily appears in news and media contexts. When using "deathly illness", consider the impact of the phrase and choose alternatives that may be more appropriate for the specific situation. Always strive for accurate and sensitive language when discussing medical topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fatal disease

Emphasizes the potential to cause death.

terminal illness

Focuses on the illness leading inevitably to death.

life-threatening disease

Highlights the risk the illness poses to life.

critical condition

Indicates a state of severe illness requiring immediate attention.

grave sickness

Emphasizes the seriousness and severity of the illness.

severe malady

Uses a more formal term for illness to indicate severity.

serious ailment

Similar to malady, ailment indicates a concerning medical issue.

debilitating disease

Highlights the weakening effect of the illness.

acute sickness

Indicates a sudden and severe onset of illness.

dangerous disease

Implies the illness has a potential for a harmful outcome.

FAQs

What does "deathly illness" mean?

The phrase "deathly illness" describes a severe and life-threatening disease or condition that carries a high risk of death. It emphasizes the gravity and potential fatality of the illness.

How to use "deathly illness" in a sentence?

You can use "deathly illness" to describe someone suffering from a severe disease, such as: "After months of battling a "deathly illness", she finally found peace."

What are some alternatives to "deathly illness"?

Some alternatives to "deathly illness" include "terminal illness", "fatal disease", or "life-threatening disease". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "deathly illness" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "deathly illness" is not as common as phrases like "serious illness" or "critical condition". Its use is generally reserved for situations where the risk of death is significant and should be used with care to avoid unnecessary alarm.