cul-de-sac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “cul-de-sac” mean?
A street or passage closed at one end, creating a dead end.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A street or passage closed at one end, creating a dead end.
A situation from which further progress is impossible or which leads nowhere; a dead end.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in UK English, especially in literal use. In US English, 'dead end' is often preferred for the literal meaning.
Connotations
In the UK, often implies a quiet, safe residential street. In both varieties, the metaphorical use carries negative connotations of stagnation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, both written and spoken. In US English, more frequent in metaphorical or formal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cul-de-sac” in a Sentence
be stuck in a ~ (metaphorical)live on a ~lead into a ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The merger talks hit a cul-de-sac.'
Academic
Used in urban studies, sociology, and metaphorically in other disciplines.
Everyday
Common when describing a house location or a situation with no progress.
Technical
Standard term in town planning, road design, and cartography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cul-de-sac”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cul-de-sac”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cul-de-sac”
- Incorrect plural: 'cul-de-sacs' is acceptable but 'culs-de-sac' is the traditional form. Mispronunciation: /kʌl/ instead of /kʊl/ in British English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'culs-de-sac' (following French plural rules) and 'cul-de-sacs' (following English rules) are accepted. The latter is more common in modern usage.
It is used more frequently and literally in UK English. In the US, 'dead end' is often preferred for the literal meaning, though 'cul-de-sac' is understood and used metaphorically.
No, it is exclusively a noun. The related adjective would be 'dead-end' (e.g., a dead-end job, a dead-end street).
It is borrowed from French, where it literally means 'bottom of the sack'. It entered English in the 18th century as an architectural and planning term.
A street or passage closed at one end, creating a dead end.
Cul-de-sac is usually neutral to formal in register.
Cul-de-sac: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊl də ˌsæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌl də ˌsæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be in a cul-de-sac (of thought/negotiations)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SACK (sac) placed at the end of a COOL (cul) street, blocking it. You can't go through the sack, it's a dead end.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY IS A PATH; LACK OF PROGRESS IS A BLOCKED PATH.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate synonym for 'cul-de-sac' in a business context?