die
die — noun
1. a specially shaped piece of hard metal that is used to press, cut, or stamp patt
a specially shaped piece of hard metal that is used to press, cut, or stamp patterns onto softer materials such as metal sheets or plastic.
The factory uses a steel die to stamp the company logo onto car doors.
collocation: steel die
Lotte watched the machine press the die against the heated plastic sheet.
collocation: press the die against
Elena replaced the worn die so the parts would keep their exact shape.
Each coin is struck by a die that imprints the design on both sides.
文法句型
a die
the die
dies (plural)
用法筆記
The plural form 'dies' is used for this sense, while 'dice' is the plural for the game-piece sense.
常見錯誤
2. a cube with spots on each of its six faces, tossed by players to determine moves
a cube with spots on each of its six faces, tossed by players to determine moves or scores in games.
Imran rolled the die and moved his game piece forward five spaces.
collocation: roll the die
Christopher shook the two dice in his hand and threw them onto the board.
Most games include a single die, though using two speeds up play.
In many board games, players take turns rolling a die to see who goes first.
- dice
often used as the singular in modern, especially British, English
文法句型
roll a die
throw a die
a pair of dice
singular: die / plural: dice
用法筆記
The traditional singular is 'die' and plural is 'dice', though in modern informal English 'dice' is often used for both singular and plural.
常見錯誤
die — verb
1. to cease living; to no longer remain alive, whether the end arrives quickly or f
to cease living; to no longer remain alive, whether the end arrives quickly or follows a long period.
The old dog died quietly in his sleep at the age of fourteen.
die + adverb of manner: died quietly
Many soldiers died during the long war far from their homes.
Rin's grandfather died last winter after a short illness.
No one knows exactly when or where the famous poet died.
A tree that has died can still provide shelter for birds and insects.
- live
to remain alive
文法句型
die + (of/from something)
die + for someone
用法筆記
This is the core sense of 'die'. For the cause of death, use 'die of' (disease, old age) or 'die from' (injuries, overdose). 'Die for' means to sacrifice one's life for a person or cause.
常見錯誤
2. to die in a specific manner or because of a particular circumstance, with the wa
to die in a specific manner or because of a particular circumstance, with the way or reason for the death stated immediately after the verb.
Sade died peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
die + manner adverb: peacefully
Andrew died in a car accident on the highway last Tuesday night.
die + circumstance: in a car accident
The famous painter died young, leaving behind only a dozen finished works.
Christopher died of a rare disease that doctors could not identify in time.
文法句型
die + adverb (young/suddenly/rich)
die + of/from/through
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense verb/1 (STOP LIVING): this sense always includes a manner adverb, cause phrase, or adjective complement that describes how or why the death happened.
常見錯誤
3. to gradually disappear, fade away, or cease to exist — used of traditions, sound
to gradually disappear, fade away, or cease to exist — used of traditions, sounds, feelings, species, ideas, or other non-living things.
The tradition of handwritten letters is dying in the age of email.
subject: tradition — abstract noun
That old folk song will never die — families still sing it at gatherings.
When the last speaker passed away, the ancient language died with her.
The sound of their voices slowly died as they walked further into the forest.
Hope never truly dies, even in the most difficult of times.
文法句型
die + (away/out)
die + (of its own accord)
用法筆記
The subject is always a non-living thing: a tradition, language, sound, feeling, species, or idea. For living things, use verb/1 (STOP LIVING) instead.
常見錯誤
4. when a device, motor, or power source dies, it stops running — typically because
when a device, motor, or power source dies, it stops running — typically because the stored energy is gone or an internal part has broken.
Defne's phone died halfway through the call, so she had to find a charger.
subject: electronic device — phone died
The car engine died at the traffic lights and would not start again.
My laptop battery dies after only three hours of use now.
The old refrigerator finally died after twenty years of faithful service.
文法句型
die + on someone (informal)
die + (out/completely)
用法筆記
Common with 'die on [someone]' to indicate the inconvenience the failure causes. Example: 'The wifi died on me in the middle of the meeting.'
常見錯誤
5. to want something so extremely badly that you feel you cannot wait any longer —
to want something so extremely badly that you feel you cannot wait any longer — used in everyday, informal situations.
After walking all morning, the hikers were dying for a cold drink.
be dying for + noun: dying for a cold drink
Maeve was dying to meet her favourite author at the book signing event.
be dying to + infinitive: dying to meet
I am dying for a cup of coffee — I have not had one all day.
Adina was dying to know what was inside the beautifully wrapped gift.
- dread
to fear or feel anxious about something
文法句型
be dying for + noun
be dying to + infinitive
用法筆記
Almost always used in the continuous form (be + dying). Not used in simple past: 'I died for a drink' does not carry this meaning. In formal writing, use 'long for' or 'desperately want' instead.
常見錯誤
6. to be so strongly affected by an emotion — such as laughter, embarrassment, sham
to be so strongly affected by an emotion — such as laughter, embarrassment, shame, or excitement — that you feel overwhelmed by it.
Lakan was dying of laughter at Imran's silly joke during class.
be dying of + emotion: dying of laughter
When Elena tripped on stage, she was dying of embarrassment.
The children were dying with excitement on the morning of the school trip.
I almost died of shame when I called my teacher 'Mom' in front of everyone.
- be overwhelmed
more formal; covers all emotions without the urgency
- be beside oneself
stronger; suggests losing control due to emotion
文法句型
be dying of/with + emotion (laughter, embarrassment, shame)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense verb/5 (WANT DESPERATELY): here the focus is on being overpowered by a feeling rather than wanting something. 'Dying of laughter' is very common in informal English.
常見錯誤
7. to come to an end without achieving what was hoped for — used of plans, projects
to come to an end without achieving what was hoped for — used of plans, projects, dreams, or efforts that are completely unsuccessful.
The project died after the main investor decided to pull out.
subject: project — an effort or plan
Marta's dream of becoming a professional singer died when she lost her voice.
The peace talks died because neither side was willing to compromise.
The new restaurant died within six months of opening its doors.
文法句型
die + (a death as a plan/project/idea)
用法筆記
This sense is close to verb/3 (STOP EXISTING) but specifically conveys failure — the plan or effort was meant to succeed but did not. Use 'fail' for a more neutral tone.