terminal
Relates to something occurring at or forming the end or boundary of a sequence or series. In a medical context, it describes a disease or condition that cannot be cured and is predicted to lead to death.
Examples
3 of 5The patient was diagnosed with a terminal illness and decided to spend his remaining time with family.
The patient was diagnosed with an incurable illness and decided to spend his remaining time with family.
The report suggests that the organization has entered a state of terminal decline.
The report suggests that the organization has entered a state of final decline.
I was suffering from terminal boredom during that three-hour lecture.
I was suffering from extreme boredom during that three-hour lecture.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Terminator' movie—his goal is to bring a final, 'terminal' end to his targets. Or relate it to a 'term' (like a school term) which must eventually reach its terminal point.
Quick Quiz
The patient was moved to a hospice after receiving a _______ diagnosis.
Correct!
The correct answer is: terminal
Examples
The patient was diagnosed with a terminal illness and decided to spend his remaining time with family.
everydayThe patient was diagnosed with an incurable illness and decided to spend his remaining time with family.
The report suggests that the organization has entered a state of terminal decline.
formalThe report suggests that the organization has entered a state of final decline.
I was suffering from terminal boredom during that three-hour lecture.
informalI was suffering from extreme boredom during that three-hour lecture.
The terminal velocity of a falling object is reached when the force of gravity equals the air resistance.
academicThe final constant velocity of a falling object is reached when the force of gravity equals the air resistance.
The board recognized the terminal nature of the current strategy and voted for a complete restructuring.
businessThe board recognized the final nature of the current strategy and voted for a complete restructuring.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
terminally ill
suffering from a disease that will end in death
terminal station
the final stop on a railway or transport line
terminal point
the end point of something
Often Confused With
Terminus is specifically the physical end of a transportation line, whereas terminal (adjective) describes a state or a final stage.
Usage Notes
When used medically, terminal is a sensitive word that implies no hope for recovery. In non-medical contexts, it often emphasizes that a process has reached its final, often negative, conclusion.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'terminal' to mean 'very bad' in every situation, but it strictly implies the *end* of something rather than just low quality.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Terminator' movie—his goal is to bring a final, 'terminal' end to his targets. Or relate it to a 'term' (like a school term) which must eventually reach its terminal point.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'terminalis', which comes from 'terminus', meaning a boundary or end.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western healthcare, 'terminal care' or 'palliative care' refers to specialized medical care for people living with a serious, life-limiting illness.
Quick Quiz
The patient was moved to a hospice after receiving a _______ diagnosis.
Correct!
The correct answer is: terminal
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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