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Deus ex machina: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Deus ex machina noun. An unlikely event or character that suddenly solves a seemingly hopeless problem in a story.
How to say it
day-us eks MAK-ih-nuh/ˌdeɪʊs ɛks ˈmakɪnə/
6 syllables, stressed on the fourth (MAK).
Deus ex machina in a sentence
The rich uncle who dies in the last chapter is a shameless deus ex machina.
The rescue helicopter felt like a deus ex machina, but it really did happen.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- contrivance
- plot device
- convenient rescue
Where deus ex machina comes from
Latin for god from the machine, translating a Greek phrase for gods lowered onto the stage by a crane.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The rescue helicopter felt like a _____, but it really did happen.
- deus ex machina
- epilogue
- censorship
Show the answer
deus ex machina: The rescue helicopter felt like a deus ex machina, but it really did happen.