immortals
B2Formal / Literary / Academic / Pop Culture
Definition
Meaning
Beings or entities that live forever and cannot die.
People, such as famous artists or thinkers, whose fame and influence are considered to last forever. Can also refer to the members of certain prestigious institutions (e.g., the French Academy). In fiction, refers to mythical or supernatural characters with eternal life.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a plural noun, it primarily denotes a group or category of immortal beings. It can function as a collective noun. Capitalised ('Immortals') when referring to specific groups (e.g., the Greek gods).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Cultural references may vary (e.g., references to national 'immortals' like poets or scientists).
Connotations
Generally carries the same connotations of divinity, myth, fame, or eternal life in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of 'immortal' characters in Hollywood films and comics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the + immortals + of + mythology/history][immortals + who/that + relative clause][adjective + immortals]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no direct idioms for the plural form]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typical. Potentially metaphorical: 'The company's founders are considered immortals in the tech industry.'
Academic
Used in literature, mythology, history, and philosophy: 'The dialogue explores the relationship between mortals and immortals in Homeric epic.'
Everyday
In discussions of fantasy books, films, mythology: 'In the story, the immortals cannot interfere in human wars.'
Technical
Used in religious studies, classical studies, and comparative mythology as a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No verb form for 'immortals')
American English
- (No verb form for 'immortals')
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form for 'immortals')
American English
- (No adverb form for 'immortals')
adjective
British English
- (Plural noun only; adjective is 'immortal')
American English
- (Plural noun only; adjective is 'immortal')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The story had gods and immortals in it.
- They are not humans; they are immortals.
- In Greek myths, the immortals lived on Mount Olympus.
- Many cultures have stories about immortals who never grow old.
- The poet's work earned him a place among the immortals of English literature.
- The novel explores the loneliness of immortals who watch generations of mortals pass away.
- The philosophical treatise contrasts the mutable world of mortals with the static, perfect realm of the immortals.
- Academics debate whether the epic's immortals are metaphors for natural forces or psychological archetypes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the word 'MORTAL' (someone who dies). Now imagine a group of beings with 'IM-' in front, blocking death: the IMMORTALS.
Conceptual Metaphor
ETERNAL LIFE IS DIVINE / FAME IS IMMORTALITY (e.g., 'Shakespeare secured his place among the literary immortals.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'бессмертные' for famous people in non-literary contexts, as it can sound overly dramatic. In many contexts, 'легенды' or 'великие' is more natural.
- Do not confuse with 'immortality' (бессмертие) which is the abstract quality.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'immortals' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'He is an immortals').
- Confusing 'immortal' (adjective) with 'immortals' (plural noun) in sentence structure.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'immortals' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is only capitalised when it is part of a proper name for a specific group, like 'the Forty Immortals' of the French Academy, or when directly replacing a proper noun like 'the Gods' (e.g., 'the Olympian Immortals').
Yes, but it is a hyperbolic or honorific metaphor. It is used to suggest someone's fame or legacy will last forever, e.g., 'She is considered one of the immortals of jazz.'
All gods are typically considered immortals, but not all immortals are gods. 'Immortals' is a broader category that can include elves, vampires, or other eternally living mythical beings who may not be worshipped as deities.
Yes, the singular form is 'an immortal' (noun), used to refer to one such being, e.g., 'He encountered an immortal in the forest.'