Words / C1

LEETHL/ˈliːθl/

Lethal means able to cause death, or extremely destructive: a lethal dose, a lethal combination. Deadly is everyday; fatal stresses that death occurred. Lethal weapon is set phrasing. Do not use lethal as slang praise for a joke in a safety minute.

Meaning

Able to cause death; also extremely harmful or effective.

Examples

• “A lethal mix of fatigue and a jammed fire door is not a metaphor.”
• “A lethal mix of fatigue and a jammed fire door is not a metaphor in a report.”
• “Deadly is everyday. Fatal is “it killed”. Toxic can be chemical or figurative. “Lethal joke” as slang is the wrong register beside a real hazard.”

Good to know

Deadly / ruinously harmful. Everyday: deadly. Close: fatal (death happened). Not slang praise in a safety paper.

Near in meaning

deadly

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