mortal

[ mawr-tl ]

adjective

1. subject to death; having a transitory life:

   all mortal creatures.

2. of or relating to human beings as subject to death; human:

   this mortal life.

3. belonging to this world.
4. deadly or implacable; relentless:

   a mortal enemy.

5. severe, dire, grievous, or bitter:

   in mortal fear.

6. causing or liable to cause death; fatal:

   a mortal wound.

7. to the death:

   mortal combat.

8. of or relating to death:

   the mortal hour.

9. involving spiritual death ( venial ):

   mortal sin.

10. long and wearisome.
11. extreme; very great:

    in a mortal hurry.

12. conceivable; possible:

    of no mortal value to the owners.

noun

1. a human being.
2. the condition of being subject to death.

mortal

/ ˈmɔːtəl /

adjective

1. (of living beings, esp human beings) subject to death
2. of or involving life or the world
3. ending in or causing death; fatal

   a mortal blow

4. deadly or unrelenting

   a mortal enemy

5. of or like the fear of death; dire

   mortal terror

6. great or very intense

   mortal pain

7. possible

   there was no mortal reason to go

8. slang.
   long and tedious

   for three mortal hours

noun

1. a mortal being
2. informal.
   a person

   a mean mortal

Derived Forms

• ˈmortally, adverb

Other Words From

• mortal·ly adverb
• non·mortal adjective noun
• non·mortal·ly adverb
• post·mortal adjective
• post·mortal·ly adverb
• pre·mortal adjective
• pre·mortal·ly adverb
• un·mortal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortal¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French mortal, mortel, from Latin mortālis, equivalent to mort- (stem of mors ) “death” + -ālis -al ¹; ambrosia ( def ); murder ( def ); murther ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortal¹

C14: from Latin mortālis, from mors death

Synonym Study

See fatal.

Example Sentences

While some of the patients had been seriously ill, many of them were not in mortal danger—at least not from their illnesses.

From The Daily Beast

As Suez demonstrated, it was a lot easier to be tough on allies than on a potentially mortal adversary.

From The Daily Beast

Chris Christie may survive the scandal, but he's scarred and has become just another mere mortal candidate.

From The Daily Beast

The stakes didn't seem high enough—largely because America no longer views Russia as its mortal enemy.

From The Daily Beast

Never has he been more mortal—struck dumb and slow, crumbs spilling down his shirt—and never have we deemed him more godly.

From The Daily Beast

Man's enthusiasm in praise of a fellow mortal, is soon damped by the original sin of his nature—rebellious pride!

From Project Gutenberg

There were yet two mortal hours to get through, and the men of the party sought the cool shades of the vicarage garden.

From Project Gutenberg

She sobbed; he lifted her chin with his free hand—and what less could mortal apostle do?

From Project Gutenberg

Seven years after the death of Copernicus, was born that strange mortal, Giordano Bruno.

From Project Gutenberg

And I don't see her doing every mortal thing she wants, while others have to walk a chalked line through life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dire
• fatal
• grievous
• grim
• lethal
• malignant
• terrible