May 16, 2026 · fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

Learn what fatal means with clear definitions, pronunciation, synonyms, and real-world examples. Simple explanations to help you use fatal correctly.

FATAL definition: 1. A fatal illness, accident, etc. causes death: 2. very serious and having an important bad…. Learn more.

Fatal describes conditions, circumstances, or events that have already caused death or are virtually certain to do so in the future: a fatal accident; a fatal illness.

What does fatal mean? Fatal literally means deadly—capable of causing death. Similar words are deadly, lethal, and mortal—though they are often used in different ways.

The adjective fatal describes something that is capable of causing death. Certain cleaning products, for instance, are labeled, “Could be fatal if swallowed.” Here's a helpful suggestion: don't swallow them.

A fatal action has very undesirable effects. She knew it was fatal to try to argue with Stephen. He made the fatal mistake of compromising early. It would deal a fatal blow to his fading chances of success.

Definition of fatal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Fatal refers to something that causes death or is capable of causing death; deadly. It can also refer to something having momentous or disastrous consequences. Etymology: [L. fatalis, fr. fatum: cf. F. …

Fatal is an adjective that describes something causing death, serious harm, or inevitable failure. It often emphasizes the finality or disastrous consequences of an action or event.