Dictionary
deadly
German → American English
American English
deadly
sehr gefährlich; tödlich
The virus can be deadly if it is not treated quickly.„Deadly“ is often used in English in a literal sense meaning „causing death“ and in an informal sense meaning „extremely good“ or „very serious“ depending on context. For German learners, don’t confuse it with „dead“ (tot) or with „deadly“ as slang.
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Frequently asked questions
What does „deadly“ mean in German?
In German, „deadly“ is usually translated as „tödlich“ or „lebensgefährlich“ depending on the context.
Is „deadly“ the same as „fatal“?
Not exactly. „Deadly“ often means „causing death“, while „fatal“ can mean „deadly“ or „having very serious consequences“.
How do you use „deadly“ in a sentence?
Example: „The poison is deadly.“ = „Das Gift ist tödlich.“
Can „deadly“ also mean something positive in slang?
Yes. In informal English, „deadly“ can mean „excellent“ or „impressive“, but that use is slang and not common in formal writing.