Definition:
"Die out" is a phrasal verb that means to gradually disappear or become extinct. It can refer to people, animals, plants, or even ideas that slowly fade away until they no longer exist.
In more complex contexts, "die out" can also refer to phenomena in science or culture where a particular behavior or trend becomes less common over time. For instance, "The use of certain dialects may die out in urban areas as people move and mix."
"Die out" primarily focuses on extinction or fading. However, "die" can also mean to stop living or functioning (e.g., "The car died on the road").
While "die out" is a specific phrasal verb, you can also find related expressions such as:
- "Fade away": This is similar and means to gradually disappear. For example, "The music faded away as the night went on."
- "Phase out": This means to gradually stop using something. For example, "The company plans to phase out old technology."
"Die out" is a useful phrasal verb for describing something that is disappearing or becoming extinct.