First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
fatal
adjective fa·tal \ˈfā-təl\
: causing death
: causing ruin or failure
Full Definition of FATAL
1
obsolete : fated
2
: fateful <a fatal hour>
3
a : of or relating to fate b : resembling fate in proceeding according to a fixed sequence c : determining one's fate
4
a : causing death b : bringing ruin <a fatal attraction to gambling> c : causing failure <a fatal design flaw>
See fatal defined for English-language learners
See fatal defined for kids
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Origin of FATAL
Middle English, from Latin fatalis, from fatum fate
Related to FATAL
- Synonyms
- calamitous, cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), catastrophic, damning, destructive, disastrous, fateful, ruinous, unfortunate
Synonym Discussion of FATAL
deadly, mortal, fatal, lethal mean causing or capable of causing death. deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death <a deadly disease>. mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable <a mortal wound>. fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction <fatal consequences>. lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life <lethal gas>.
Rhymes with FATAL
FATAL Defined for Kids
fatal
adjective fa·tal \ˈfā-təl\
Definition of FATAL for Kids
1
: causing death : mortal <fatal injuries>
2
: causing ruin or failure <a fatal mistake>
— fa·tal·ly adverb
Medical Dictionary
fatal
adjective fa·tal \ˈfāt-əl\
Medical Definition of FATAL
: causing death <a fatal diabetic coma—Havelock Ellis>
—fa·tal·ly \ˈfāt-əl-ē\ adverb
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