adj
Common
lethal
LEE-thuhl
Lethal (adj) means Capable of causing death; deadly. Example: “Some wild mushrooms are lethal, so never eat one unless an expert has checked it.”
adj
1
Capable of causing death; deadly.
"Some wild mushrooms are lethal, so never eat one unless an expert has checked it."
"Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. The machine gun is so much more lethal than the bow and arrow that comparisons are meaningless."
— , Old soldiers? (2013)
"The snake's venom is lethal to small animals."
"Police recovered a lethal weapon from the scene."
How to use lethal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeadly — able to kill.
Common pairings
a lethal dose
lethal weapon
lethal force
lethal injection
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Word forms
- Plural
- lethals
- Comparative
- more lethal
- Superlative
- most lethal
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Some wild mushrooms are _____, so never eat one unless an expert has checked it.
Etymology
From Latin letalis, "deadly," from letum, "death."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “lethal” mean?
The word “lethal” means capable of causing death; deadly. In plain terms, deadly — able to kill.
How do you pronounce “lethal”?
“Lethal” is pronounced LEE-thuhl (/ˈliː.θəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “lethal” in a sentence?
Here is “lethal” used in a sentence: “The snake's venom is lethal to small animals.”
What part of speech is “lethal”?
“Lethal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lethal” come from?
The word “lethal” comes from Latin. From Latin letalis, "deadly," from letum, "death.".
Is “lethal” a common word?
“Lethal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between lethal and deadly?
Lethal and deadly are close synonyms, both meaning capable of causing death, and are often used interchangeably. Lethal tends to appear more in technical, medical, or precise contexts such as a lethal dose, while deadly is more common in general or dramatic descriptions.
Can lethal be used figuratively?
Yes, lethal is sometimes used figuratively to describe something extremely effective or damaging, such as a lethal argument or a lethal combination, without literally involving death. This extended use draws on the core sense of being highly dangerous or destructive.
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