What Does Dead Week Mean?

Term » DefinitionWord in DefinitionTranslations #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Random New Words Term Word in Definition Translations

Vocabulary

What does dead week mean?

Definitions for dead weekdead week

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word dead week.

Did you actually mean dead duck or dead sea?

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. dead weeknoun

   In a college or university, the week immediately preceding finals week.

2. Etymology: Possibly from the propensity during this period for students to cram for final exams and complete term papers, often resulting in sleep deprivation, increased irritability, and stress. Also possibly from the lack of classes or activities scheduled during this period, in order to allow more study time.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Dead week

   Dead week, or hell week, is US slang for the week before college and university final examinations. The week is often characterized by heightened test anxiety, students working to overcome procrastinating their test preparation or writing term papers. This can lead to sleep deprivation, irritability, and vomiting. There are often all-night studying sessions, and greater use of stimulants like coffee, caffeine tablets, energy drinks, Adderall, or other prescription amphetamines. Many campus dormitories or residence halls require near silence for most of the day during the week before finals. There may also be a moratorium on paper assignments, exams, and student organizational activities during dead week. Libraries may also be open for extended hours, or might stay available all night. Similar events are revision week in the UK, and swotvac in Australia. Hell week is used in many similar educational contexts, such as police or military training.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Dead week

   Dead week is a slang term for the week before schools' final examinations in the United States of America. The week is known thus because of its notorious stress; the propensity for college and university students to save exam study until the last possible week; and because term papers are often due. Students prepare for the exams and papers by pulling all-night study sessions, often with the aid of stimulants such as coffee, caffeine tablets, Adderall, and energy drinks. During this period, some students will suffer from sleep deprivation, increased irritability, and stress. At some schools, this week is referred to as Hell Week, Reading Period, or Reading Week. Many campus dormitories/residence halls require near silence for most of the day during the week before finals, to aid to those studying for their finals or writing papers. Depending on the school there may also be a moratorium on paper assignments, exams, and student organizational activities during dead week. Libraries may also be open for extended hours, or might stay available all night.

How to pronounce dead week?

1. AlexUS EnglishDavidUS EnglishMarkUS EnglishDanielBritishLibbyBritishMiaBritishKarenAustralianHayleyAustralianNatashaAustralianVeenaIndianPriyaIndianNeerjaIndianZiraUS EnglishOliverBritishWendyBritishFredUS EnglishTessaSouth African

How to say dead week in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of dead week in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of dead week in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

References

1. ^ Wiktionaryhttps://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Dead_Week
2. ^ Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Week
3. ^ Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=dead week

Translation

Find a translation for the dead week definition in other languages:

Select another language:

• - Select -
• 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
• 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
• Español (Spanish)
• Esperanto (Esperanto)
• 日本語 (Japanese)
• Português (Portuguese)
• Deutsch (German)
• العربية (Arabic)
• Français (French)
• Русский (Russian)
• ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
• 한국어 (Korean)
• עברית (Hebrew)
• Gaeilge (Irish)
• Українська (Ukrainian)
• اردو (Urdu)
• Magyar (Hungarian)
• मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
• Indonesia (Indonesian)
• Italiano (Italian)
• தமிழ் (Tamil)
• Türkçe (Turkish)
• తెలుగు (Telugu)
• ภาษาไทย (Thai)
• Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
• Čeština (Czech)
• Polski (Polish)
• Românește (Romanian)
• Nederlands (Dutch)
• Ελληνικά (Greek)
• Latinum (Latin)
• Svenska (Swedish)
• Dansk (Danish)
• Suomi (Finnish)
• فارسی (Persian)
• ייִדיש (Yiddish)
• հայերեն (Armenian)
• Norsk (Norwegian)
• English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:

Subscribe

Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"dead week." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LTD, 2026. Web. 2 Jan. 2026. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/dead+week>.

Powered by CITE.ME

Discuss these dead week definitions with the community:

https://www.definitions.net/definition/dead+week

0 Comments

0:00 0:00 clear Notify me of new comments via email. Publish ×Close

Report Comment

We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.

Cancel Report ×Close

Attachment

Close ×

You need to be logged in to favorite.

or fill the form below

Create a new account

Your name:*Required

Your email address:*Required

Pick a user name:*Required

Join

Log In

Username:*Required

Password:*Required

Log In

Forgot your password? Retrieve it

Are we missing a good definition for dead week? Don't keep it to yourself...

Submit Definition Close ×Close

Note

The ASL fingerspelling provided here is most commonly used for proper names of people and places; it is also used in some languages for concepts for which no sign is available at that moment.There are obviously specific signs for many words available in sign language that are more appropriate for daily usage. Close ×Close

Image Credit

Close

The Web's Largest Resource for

Definitions & Translations

A Member Of The STANDS4 Network

Free, no signup required:

Add to Chrome

Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web! Two clicks install »

Free, no signup required:

Add to Firefox

Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web! Two clicks install »

Browse Definitions.net

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Random New Words

Quiz

Are you a words master?

»

a small contrasting part of something

A arbalist B maculation C squint-eye D foumart

Nearby & related entries:

• dead tree
• dead tree edition
• dead tree version
• dead upon a wind
• dead water
• dead week
• dead weight noun
• dead white european male
• dead wire
• dead woman's secret
• dead wood

Alternative searches for dead week:

• Search for Synonyms for dead week
• Search for Anagrams for dead week
• Quotes containing the term dead week
• Search for Phrases containing the term dead week
• Search for Poems containing the term dead week
• Search for Scripts containing the term dead week
• Search for Abbreviations containing the term dead week
• What rhymes with dead week?
• Search for Song lyrics that mention dead week
• Search for dead week on Amazon

×

Thank you

Thanks for your vote! We truly appreciate your support. Close