Standard Lemma guide

deathtrap

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈdɛθtɹæp/

1

noun

Meaning 1

An extremely dangerous location, structure, or device.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, informal

Examples

  • Route 9 is a deathtrap; they should at least put up guard rails.
  • Dude, your car is a deathtrap! Get the brakes and the steering fixed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A plot device where a villain in a story puts a hero in an elaborate dangerous situation for the purposes of attempting a sadistic murder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: literature, media, publishing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

any structure that is very unsafe; where people are likely to be killed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: structure, construction

History

Etymology

From death + trap.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: trencacolls — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Chinese Mandarin: 死地 (sǐdì) — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Danish: dødsfælde — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Estonian: surmalõks — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Finnish: surmanloukku — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Finnish: kuolemanloukku — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • German: Todesfalle — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Greek: σκοτώστρα (skotóstra) — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Irish: sáinn bháis — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Japanese: 死地 (shichi) — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Norwegian Bokmål: dødsfelle — extremely dangerous location, etc.
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: dødsfelle — extremely dangerous location, etc.