Dictionary
fatal
German → American English
American English
fatal
Fatal; causing death or extremely serious negative consequences.
Ein fataler Fehler kann schwerwiegende Folgen haben.Use fatal mostly in formal or serious contexts for something with very bad consequences; for people, it often means “deadly” or “life-threatening,” not “failing” in a casual sense.
Related words
Explore nearby vocabulary picked for learners studying this word.
Frequently asked questions
What does “fatal” mean in English?
It means deadly, disastrous, or causing very serious harm or failure.
Is “fatal” the same as “tödlich”?
Yes, in many contexts it can mean “deadly” or “lethal,” but it can also mean “disastrous” depending on the sentence.
How do you use “fatal” in a sentence?
Example: “That was a fatal mistake.” It means the mistake had very serious consequences.
Can “fatal” describe a person?
Yes, but usually in the sense of being deadly or having deadly consequences, not as a personality description.