immortal
C1Formal, Literary, Technical (e.g., biology/mythology)
Definition
Meaning
Living or lasting forever; not subject to death.
Extremely famous, enduring in memory or reputation beyond a normal lifespan.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning (not dying) is literal, often used in myth, religion, or speculative fiction. The extended meaning (enduring fame) is metaphorical and common in artistic/ cultural criticism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more literary/poetic in both varieties; the extended 'famous' sense is universally understood.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] + immortal[consider/vie to be] + immortal[achieve/gain] + immortalityimmortal + [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Immortal Beloved (Beethoven reference)”
- “join the immortals (die and be remembered)”
- “an immortal sin (unforgivable)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in hyperbolic branding: 'an immortal classic'.
Academic
Common in literature, theology, philosophy, and biology (e.g., 'immortal cell lines').
Everyday
Mostly in the metaphorical sense: 'The Beatles are immortal.'
Technical
In biology: referring to cells that can divide indefinitely (HeLa cells). In computing: 'immortal thread'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The poet was immortalised in Westminster Abbey.
- He sought to immortalise the moment in a sonnet.
American English
- The general was immortalized in a statue in the park.
- Her performance immortalized that song.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many stories have immortal heroes.
- He believes his soul is immortal.
- The ancient Greeks wrote about immortal gods on Mount Olympus.
- Her contribution to science made her immortal in the field.
- The artist achieved immortal fame with that single, groundbreaking painting.
- Biologists work with immortal cell lines for cancer research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MORTAL' (subject to death). 'IM-' means 'NOT'. So, IMMORTAL = NOT MORTAL, not subject to death.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDURING FAME IS IMMORTALITY (e.g., 'His name is immortalized in history').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бессмертный' (correct) and 'несмертельный' (non-lethal). The Russian 'бессмертный' covers both literal and figurative senses accurately.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'immortal' to mean 'very old' (incorrect). Confusing 'immortal' with 'immoral' (a false friend). Overusing in casual speech where 'famous' or 'legendary' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'immortal' used LITERALLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very close. 'Eternal' emphasizes timeless existence without beginning or end, often for abstract concepts (eternal love). 'Immortal' emphasizes not being subject to death, typically for living beings or their fame.
Yes, especially in plural ('the immortals'), referring to gods or people of enduring fame, e.g., 'He is considered one of the immortals of jazz.'
The direct opposite is 'mortal'. Other contextual opposites include 'temporary', 'ephemeral', or 'perishable'.
Yes, in technical biology, it describes organisms (like certain jellyfish) or cell lines that do not die from aging, though they can still be killed.
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