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mortal

adj. · n.
US //ˈmɔɹtəɫ// UK //mˈɔːtəl// mor·tal
  1. 1 subject to death (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    living things that cannot live forever and will eventually die.

    subject to death; having a finite lifespan as a biological necessity.

    Example

    All living creatures are mortal and will one day pass away.

    Example

    The poet reflects on our mortal nature, contrasting the brief span of human life with the enduring beauty of the natural world.
  2. 2 causing death (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    something that causes death, like a very serious wound or injury.

    causing or liable to cause death; fatal or lethal in effect.

    Example

    The soldier received a mortal wound during the final battle.

    Example

    The knight collapsed after sustaining a mortal blow that no physician of the era could hope to treat.
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  1. 3 extreme or intense (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    used to describe a very strong feeling, like a great fear or a serious enemy.

    extreme, intense, or unrelenting; often used to describe human emotions or rivalries that last until death.

    Example

    The two families had been mortal enemies for many generations.

    Example

    He was seized by a mortal terror as the shadow moved across the window, paralyzing him where he stood.
  2. 4 very drunk (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang British English Dialect

    extremely drunk from drinking too much alcohol.

    highly intoxicated; a regional slang term used primarily in parts of the UK.

    Example

    He went out for one drink and ended up absolutely mortal.

    Example

    After the wedding reception, half the guests were completely mortal and had to be helped into taxis.
  3. 5 serious sin (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Religion

    in some religions, a very serious wrong act that separates a person from God.

    denoting a grave sin that is believed to cause the death of grace in the soul.

    Example

    In the church's teaching, stealing a large amount of money is a mortal sin.

    Example

    The theologian argued that for a transgression to be considered a mortal sin, it must involve grave matter and full consent of the will.
    • venial
  4. 6 a human being (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a human being, especially when compared to a god or someone who lives forever.

    a human being, as distinct from a divine or immortal entity.

    Example

    The secret was too powerful for any mere mortal to know.

    Example

    The ancient myths often depict gods descending from the heavens to interfere in the messy affairs of ordinary mortals.
Origin

From Middle English mortal, mortel, from Old French mortal, and their source Latin mortālis, from mors (“death”). In this sense, displaced native deadly, from Old English dēadlīċ.

Word family
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