deadlock
dead·lock/ˈdɛdˌlɑk/noun, verb
deadlock is spelled D-E-A-D-L-O-C-K: 8 letters and 2 syllables (dead·lock). It appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 30,017th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, deadlock means “A standstill resulting from the opposition of two evenly matched forces; a stalemate or impasse” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of deadlock is deadlocks.
How many letters and syllables are in deadlock?
| Letters | 8: D-E-A-D-L-O-C-K |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: dead·lock |
| In writing | about once in every 1 million words; the 30,017th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is deadlock?
Deadlock appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 30,017th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce deadlock?
- UK /ˈdɛdˌlɒk/
- US /ˈdɛdˌlɑk/
- Australia /ˈdedˌlɔk/
Deadlock has 2 syllables, split dead·lock in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Flame,_not_lame-deadlock.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with deadlock?
One word on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as deadlock from its last stressed vowel (/ɛdlɑk/):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of deadlock
- deadlocks plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- deadlocking participle, present
- deadlocked participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does deadlock mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A standstill resulting from the opposition of two evenly matched forces; a stalemate or impasse.
The negotiation ended in deadlock, with neither party willing to compromise on the price.
- 2
An inability to continue due to two programs or devices each requiring a response from the other before completing an operation.
- 3
Synonym of deadbolt (“type of lock”).
verb
- 1
To cause or come to a deadlock.
- 2
To bring to a state of deadlock.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Deadlock in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | impasse , interblocage, étreinte fatale |
| German | toter Punkt, Stillstand , Deadlock, Verklemmung |
| Portuguese | impasse , deadlock |
| Spanish | estancamiento, punto muerto, callejón sin salida, impasse, impás |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does deadlock come from?
From dead + lock.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).