fatal

fa·tal

adjective \ˈfā-t^əl\

Definition of FATAL

1

obsolete : fated

2

: fateful <a fatal hour>

3

a : of or relating to fate

b : resembling fate in proceeding according to a fixed sequence

c : determining one's fate

4

a : causing death

b : bringing ruin <a fatal attraction to gambling>

c : causing failure <a fatal design flaw>

Examples of FATAL

1. a disease that is often fatal
2. a chemical that can be fatal to birds
3. She made a fatal mistake.

Origin of FATAL

Middle English, from Latin fatalis, from fatum fate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FATAL

Synonyms

calamitous, cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), catastrophic, damning, destructive, disastrous, fateful, ruinous, unfortunate

Antonyms

healthful, healthy, nonfatal, nonlethal, wholesome

Related Words

apocalyptic (also apocalyptical); hapless, ill-fated, ill-starred, luckless; adverse, baleful, baneful, damaging, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial

Near Antonyms

fluky (also flukey), fortuitous, fortunate, happy, lucky, providential; auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, optimistic, promising, propitious, rose-colored, rosy, upbeat

See Synonym Discussion at deadly

Rhymes with FATAL

natal

fa·tal

adjective \ˈfāt-^əl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FATAL

: causing death <a fatal diabetic coma—Havelock Ellis>

—fa·tal·ly \ˈfāt-^əl-ē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb