die

noun

ˈdī 

plural dice ˈdīs  or dies ˈdīz 

1

plural dice : a small cube marked on each face with from one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games and in gambling by being shaken and thrown to come to rest at random on a flat surface

—often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the irrevocability of a course of action

the die was cast

2

plural dies, architecture : dado sense 1a

3

plural dies : any of various tools or devices for imparting a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material: such as

a(1)

: the larger of a pair of cutting or shaping tools that when moved toward each other produce a desired form in or impress a desired device on an object by pressure or by a blow

(2)

: a device composed of a pair of such tools

b

: a hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool used for forming screw threads

c

: a mold into which molten metal or other material is forced

d

: a perforated block through which metal or plastic is drawn or extruded for shaping

Synonyms of die

• bones

Examples of die in a Sentence

Each player throws one die.

he rolled the die, hoping for a six

Recent Examples on the Web

Any trade will need Nurse’s approval, and that may mean a delay of one year, but the die is cast, and the breach is public as of Thursday. —Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 5 June 2026

When a beloved pet dies, the grief can be overwhelming. —Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 4 June 2026

The lieutenant governor assumes the top job if the governor is incapacitated or dies. —Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Each kit also comes with a smaller die cast replica. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dee, from Anglo-French dé

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing die

• cross my heart and hope to die
• die away
• die before one's time
• die by suicide
• die down
• die from/of hunger
• die-hard
• die in bed
• die in childbirth
• die in committee
• die in one's bed
• die in one's sleep
• die intestate
• die laughing
• die like flies
• die of
• die-off
• die of/from thirst
• die on the vine
• die out
• do-or-die
• never say die
• old habits die hard
• sine die
• the die is cast
• to die for

Rhymes for die

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• dry
• dye

Kids Definition

die

1 of 2 verb

ˈdī 

died; dying ˈdī-iŋ 

1

: to stop living : expire

died of old age

2

a

: to pass out of existence : come to an end

their anger was dying down

b

: to disappear or lessen gradually

the wind died down

3

a

: to wish eagerly or desperately

dying to go

b

: to be completely overcome with emotion

almost died of embarrassment

4

: to stop functioning

the motor sputtered and died

die

2 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

plural dice ˈdīs  : a small cube marked on each side with one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games

—often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the absence of possible change in a course of action

the die was cast

2

plural dies ˈdīz  : any of various devices used for cutting, shaping, or stamping a material or object

Etymology

Middle English dien "to die," of Norse origin

Middle English dee "small cube marked with spots and thrown in gambling, dice," from early French dé (same meaning)

Medical Definition

die

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈdī 

died; dying ˈdī-iŋ 

1

: to suffer total and irreversible loss of the bodily attributes and functions that constitute life

2

: to suffer or face the pains of death

die

2 of 2 noun

plural dies ˈdīz 

: any of various tools or devices for imparting a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material