Cadaverous

/kəˈdævərəs/
adjective

Looking very thin and pale, like a dead body.

After his long illness, he had a cadaverous look.
Visual representation of "cadaverous" - Looking very thin and pale, like a dead body

Often appears as...

  • cadaverous look
  • cadaverous complexion

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

adjective

Related to death or a corpse.

The doctor noted his cadaverous pallor.
Visual representation of "cadaverous" - Related to death or a corpse

Often appears as...

  • cadaverous pallor
  • cadaverous smell

Usage tips

Formal

Technical

adjective

Looking very thin and pale, like a dead body.

After his long illness, he had a cadaverous look.
Visual representation of "cadaverous" - Looking very thin and pale, like a dead body

Often appears as...

  • cadaverous look
  • cadaverous complexion

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

adjective

Related to death or a corpse.

The doctor noted his cadaverous pallor.
Visual representation of "cadaverous" - Related to death or a corpse

Often appears as...

  • cadaverous pallor
  • cadaverous smell

Usage tips

Formal

Technical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "cadaverous"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Unhealthy Appearance

Use 'cadaverous' to describe someone looking sick or malnourished, giving an impression of poor health.

Illustration for Unhealthy Appearance
He emerged from the deserted house with a cadaverous appearance.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literally Dead

'Cadaverous' can imply someone looks like a corpse, but it doesn't mean they are actually dead.

Illustration for Not Literally Dead
Fasting for a week left her with a cadaverous visage, though she was very much alive.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Extreme Description

'Cadaverous' is intense; use it for dramatic effect or to stress a very unhealthy state.

Illustration for Extreme Description
The prolonged famine gave the survivors a particularly cadaverous aspect.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Unhealthy Appearance

Use 'cadaverous' to describe someone looking sick or malnourished, giving an impression of poor health.

Illustration for Unhealthy Appearance
He emerged from the deserted house with a cadaverous appearance.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literally Dead

'Cadaverous' can imply someone looks like a corpse, but it doesn't mean they are actually dead.

Illustration for Not Literally Dead
Fasting for a week left her with a cadaverous visage, though she was very much alive.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Extreme Description

'Cadaverous' is intense; use it for dramatic effect or to stress a very unhealthy state.

Illustration for Extreme Description
The prolonged famine gave the survivors a particularly cadaverous aspect.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Unhealthy Appearance

Use 'cadaverous' to describe someone looking sick or malnourished, giving an impression of poor health.

Illustration for Unhealthy Appearance
He emerged from the deserted house with a cadaverous appearance.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literally Dead

'Cadaverous' can imply someone looks like a corpse, but it doesn't mean they are actually dead.

Illustration for Not Literally Dead
Fasting for a week left her with a cadaverous visage, though she was very much alive.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Extreme Description

'Cadaverous' is intense; use it for dramatic effect or to stress a very unhealthy state.

Illustration for Extreme Description
The prolonged famine gave the survivors a particularly cadaverous aspect.
Visual representation of the word "Cadaverous"

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