mortal

B2 · Upper Intermediate

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

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

“The soldier received a mortal wound during the final battle.”

“The knight collapsed after sustaining a mortal blow that no physician of the era could hope to treat.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

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

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

“The two families had been mortal enemies for many generations.”

“He was seized by a mortal terror as the shadow moved across the window, paralyzing him where he stood.”

C2 · Proficiency Slang · British English · Dialect

adj. extremely drunk from drinking too much alcohol.

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

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

“After the wedding reception, half the guests were completely mortal and had to be helped into taxis.”

C1 · Advanced Religion Technical · Formal

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

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

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

“The theologian argued that for a transgression to be considered a mortal sin, it must involve grave matter and full consent of the will.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

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