French Conversation · Level 86
60 words
French word
mortel
Pronunciation
IPA/mɔʁtɛl/
Meaning
- adjectivefatal
Example
Il a reçu une blessure mortelle.
He suffered a fatal injury.
More examples
La maladie s'est révélée mortelle malgré le traitement.
The disease proved fatal despite the treatment.
Core concept
A danger whose force can make death the outcome, such as a wound that proves fatal.
Common phrases
maladie mortelle
fatal disease
risque mortel
fatal risk
Similar words
dangereux: Posing a threat to life or safety.
fatal: Leading to death or an irreversible, serious outcome.
grave: Serious and too important to be treated lightly.
sérieux: Requiring a serious and thoughtful response.
Definition in French
Qui est susceptible de provoquer la mort, appliqué notamment à des blessures, des maladies ou des accidents.
Word origin
French mortel comes from Old French mortel and ultimately Latin mortalis, formed from mors, mortis 'death' with an adjective-forming suffix.
Usage tips
- As an adjective, mortel agrees with the noun: mortelle is feminine, while mortels and mortelles mark the plural.
Other meanings
- mortaladjective
Opposites
- béninbenignadjective
Related words
- mortalitémortalitynoun
- mortellementfatallyadverb