Meaning & Definition of word "Perish"
to
Perish
/ˈpɛrɪʃ/
verb:
- 1. to die or be destroyed, especially in a violent or untimely manner.
- Example: If the food is not refrigerated, it will quickly perish.
- 2. to come to an end; to cease to exist.
- Example: Many ancient civilizations have perished over the course of history.
- 3. to suffer ruin or destruction.
- Example: The delicate ecosystem will perish if pollution continues to spread.
- 4. to fade away or disappear.
- Example: Her dreams of becoming an artist began to perish as she focused on a more stable career.
Etymology
Middle English perisshen, from Old French perir, derived from Latin perire 'to pass away, to be destroyed'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
perish the thought:
an expression used to indicate that something should not be considered
Related Words
mortality:
the state of being subject to death
extinct:
no longer in existence
decay:
the process of rotting or decomposition
Slang Meanings of perish
Meaning: to metaphorically die or fail
Example Sentence: My phone perished after I dropped it in water.
Meaning: to stop functioning or break down
Example Sentence: This old car is about to perish.