Definition

A person who has no heartbeat, often used in medical contexts to describe someone who is clinically dead.

Example

The doctor declared the flatliner after trying to revive the patient for several minutes.

Conversation

Did you hear about that guy who was a total flatliner during surgery?

Yeah, I read about it; it sounded really scary!

I can't believe how quickly things can go wrong in the operating room.

Absolutely, it makes you appreciate how skilled the doctors are.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Flatliner → It is formed from "flat" (from Old English *flaet*, meaning level or even) and "-liner" (meaning one who or that which). The term "flatliner" refers to someone whose heart has stopped beating, indicating a flat line on a monitor, hence the name.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'level' or 'even' ('flat') and someone who is in a state of no heartbeat ('-liner'). This helps you remember that a flatliner refers to a person whose heart has stopped.

Visually Confused Words