mortal
MAW-tuhl
Mortal (adjective) means Certain to die eventually; not immortal. Example: “Humans are mortal, so we should spend our time on what matters most.”
adjective
1
Certain to die eventually; not immortal.
"Humans are mortal, so we should spend our time on what matters most."
"Even kings are mortal in the end."
"The story reminds us that we are all mortal."
2
Causing or capable of causing death; deadly.
"The doctor warned that the infection could become a mortal danger if it was left untreated."
"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.
"In the old story, the hero was an ordinary mortal who challenged the gods."
"We are all mere mortals, so nobody can expect us to be perfect."
"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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mortal.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- mortals
- Comparative
- more mortal
- Superlative
- most mortal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Humans are _____, so we should spend our time on what matters most.
Etymology
From Latin mortalis, from mors ("death").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mortal
See all rhymes for mortal →Frequently asked questions
What does “mortal” mean?
The word “mortal” means certain to die eventually; not immortal. In plain terms, subject to death, or something deadly/fatal; also used as a noun for "a human being.".
How do you pronounce “mortal”?
“Mortal” is pronounced MAW-tuhl (/ˈmɔɹ.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mortal” in a sentence?
Here is “mortal” used in a sentence: “Even kings are mortal in the end.”
What is the opposite of “mortal”?
The opposite of “mortal” — its antonyms — are immortal, everlasting, natal, vital and venial.
What part of speech is “mortal”?
Depending on how it is used, “mortal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “mortal” come from?
The word “mortal” comes from Latin. From Latin mortalis, from mors ("death").
Is “mortal” a common word?
“Mortal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “mortal” have?
“Mortal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: certain to die eventually; not immortal.
What is the difference between mortal and immortal?
Mortal means certain to die eventually, while immortal means living forever or being incapable of death. The two words are direct opposites, with mortal describing the natural human condition and immortal often reserved for gods, myths, or fictional beings.
What is the difference between mortal and fatal?
Mortal and fatal can both describe something that causes death, as in a mortal wound or a fatal wound, but fatal is more commonly used specifically for the cause of death, while mortal also carries the broader meaning of being subject to death, as in mortal beings.
How is mortal used as a noun?
As a noun, mortal refers to a human being, especially when contrasted with gods or immortal beings, as in the phrase mere mortals, which emphasizes ordinary human limitations.
