Body Count Meaning and Examples

The literal meaning of "body count" refers to the number of people killed or dead, especially in a war or violent conflict. It can also refer to the number of casualties or fatalities resulting from a disaster, epidemic, or other tragic events. In a figurative sense, "body count" can also refer to the number of people affected or impacted by a particular situation, decision, or policy.

In casual conversations, "body count" may refer to the number of sexual partners someone has had. It is often used to discuss or inquire about a person's sexual history.

When to use it

People use "body count" to refer to the number of people killed or injured in a specific incident, such as a war, terrorist attack, natural disaster, accident or crime scene. It is often used by journalists, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, and military personnel to tally the casualties resulting from a particular incident or conflict.

It is usually inappropriate to ask someone's "body count" publicly. For instance, during an Instagram Live Q&A, a fan asked Adele what her "body count" was. Surprisingly, the singer did not get angry and responded by asking, "What's my body count? What does that mean?"

Example sentences

The body count from the earthquake was staggering.
The soldiers reported the body count from the battle to their superiors.
The detective was disturbed by the rising body count in the neighborhood.
The news article reported a body count of 10 after the shooting.
The horror movie had a high body count as the killer went on a rampage.
The war had a devastating body count, with thousands of lives lost.
The police were investigating the body count from the recent drug overdose epidemic.
The hurricane's body count was still being tallied as rescue efforts continued.
The serial killer had a high body count before finally being caught by the police.
The documentary recounted the body count of victims of the genocide.

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