0
Wolfrolf Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

dead easy

In BrE 'dead' as an adverb, may mean 'extremely' or 'very' like in It was dead easy! Now, my question is, with this meaning, what other adjectives can it go with?'

I am asking this because it seems to me that there might be certain adjectives with which it wouldn't sound natural.

Thanks in advance!

Wolfrolf
  

Top answer

Hi, In BrE 'dead' as an adverb, may mean 'extremely' or 'very' like in It was dead easy! ' Simple, stupid. No doubt there are lots of others that are commonly qualified like this, but I don't live anymore in a place where people talk like this.

— Clive

  • Hi, In BrE 'dead' as an adverb, may mean 'extremely' or 'very' like in It was dead easy!
  • ' Simple, stupid.
  • No doubt there are lots of others that are commonly qualified like this, but I don't live anymore in a place where people talk like this.
  • I am asking this because it seems to me that there might be certain adjectives with which it wouldn't sound natural.
  • Yes, lots.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
Hi,

In BrE 'dead' as an adverb, may mean 'extremely' or 'very' like in It was dead easy! Now, my question is, with this meaning, what other adjectives can it go with?' Simple, stupid. No doubt there are lots of others that are commonly qualified like this, but I don't live anymore in a place where people talk like this
0
0
CliveI am asking this because it seems to me that there might be certain adjectives with which it wouldn't sound natural. Yes, lots. eg dead green.

Perhaps someone in Britain will enlighten us.

Best wishes, Clive

I don't know when dead started being used in this way, but I can't think of
0

Related Questions