Cease to be alive (3) Crossword Clue
Answer: DIE (3 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Cease to be alive" with 3 letters is "DIE".Die means to cease to be alive or to stop living, marking the end of life for a person, animal, or organism. It is the natural conclusion of a life cycle, whether due to age, illness, or external causes.
Why “Die” Fits
The clue asks for a 3-letter word meaning “cease to be alive.” The answer, DIE, fits perfectly:
- Cease to be alive: “Die” is the direct, standard verb for the act of life ending—whether for people, animals, plants, or living things in general.
- Universal use: All creatures, at some point, die; the term is clear, familiar, and used in both everyday speech and scientific contexts.
This definition precisely matches both the clue’s request and the word’s common meaning.
“Die” is one of the most basic verbs in English, found in all registers of speech:
- Origin: From Old English “dīegan,” meaning to perish or lose life.
- Forms: Present: die; Past: died; Participle: dying.
- Usage: “Plants die without water.” “He fears that his pet may die soon.” “No one wants to die young.”
- Related words: Death (noun), deceased (adjective), mortal/mortality (noun/adjective).
The universality and emotional resonance of “die” make it a staple word in language and literature.
In quick crosswords, clues like “cease to be alive”:
- Usually point to direct verbs like “die,” “pass,” “end.”
- Short answer (3 letters) almost always fits “die,” as other options are rare or longer (“end” applies to objects, not living things).
- If the clue uses universal wording (“cease,” “alive”), go for the simplest, most grid-friendly verb.
Spotting life/death clues and recognizing their brevity and ubiquity quickly leads to “die.”
