French word

fatal

Pronunciation

IPA/fatal/

Meaning

  • adjectivedeadly

Example

Cette blessure est fatale.

This injury is deadly.

Illustration for fatal (deadly)

More examples

L'accident a été fatal.

The accident was fatal.

Core concept

An irreversible blow closes every route back, sometimes by causing death.

Common phrases

  • accident fatal

    fatal accident

  • blessure fatale

    fatal injury

  • hémorragie fatale

    fatal hemorrhage

Similar words

mortel: Capable of causing death or leading to a fatal outcome.
grave: Very serious, with potentially severe consequences if left untreated or ignored.
dangereux: Involving danger that may threaten safety or health.
sérieux: Too important or serious to be treated lightly and requiring attention.

Definition in French

Qui cause la mort ou rend une situation irréparable.

Word origin

The French adjective fatal developed from Latin fatalis through Old French, with its sense linked to fatum, the Latin word for a decreed destiny.

Usage tips

  • French fatal is pronounced roughly "fa-tal," not like English "FAY-təl"; both French syllables have a clear vowel.

Other meanings

  • fatefuladjective
  • disastrousadjective

Opposites

  • béninbenignadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word