Definition of "dead-end" in English

adjective

1. Going nowhere; blocked.

   • a dead-end street
   • a dead-end job

verb

1. (US) To come to a dead-end.

   • Watch out! The road dead-ends in 200 yards and there's nowhere to turn around!

2. (by extension) To come to nothing; to reach a hopeless situation.

noun

1. A road with no exit.

   • We turned into the street and realised it was a dead-end.

2. (by extension, figuratively) A position that offers no hope of progress.

   • Mary realised her relationship with Jim had hit a dead-end.