adjective
mortal
MAW-tuhl
adjective
1
Certain to die eventually; not immortal.
"Even kings are mortal in the end."
"The story reminds us that we are all mortal."
2
Causing or capable of causing death; deadly.
"He suffered a mortal wound in the battle."
"Climate change poses a mortal threat to low-lying island nations."
noun
1
A human being, especially as contrasted with gods or immortal beings.
"The myth describes a god who fell in love with a mortal."
How to Use Mortal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSubject to death, or something deadly/fatal; also used as a noun for "a human being."
Common mistake
Don't confuse "mortal" (relating to death) with "moral" (relating to right and wrong) — they look similar but are unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
mortal wound
mortal danger
mere mortals
mortal enemy
Word Forms
more mortal comparative, mortals plural, most mortal superlative
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Even kings are _____ in the end.
Etymology
From Latin mortalis, from mors ("death").