Words / B1

FAYTL/ˈfeɪtl/

Fatal means causing death: a fatal accident; fatal injuries. It also means causing complete failure (a fatal error; a fatal flaw). Deadly is close for poison and weapons; lethal is more technical. Do not call a low exam mark fatal unless you mean it ruins the whole plan. UK news: fatal stabbing; fatal crash.

Meaning

Causing death; also causing failure or disaster.

Examples

• “A fatal error in the spreadsheet hid the true deficit.”
• “Two people died in a fatal collision on the icy bypass.”

Good to know

a fatal accident / error / flaw. Close (death): deadly / lethal. Mix-up: fetal (unborn baby). Not a minor setback.

Near in meaning

deadly

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