# mortally

/ˈmɔɹtəɫi/ (US) · /mˈɔːtəli/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mortally
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

in a way that causes death. You use this to describe an injury or a blow that is so bad that it kills someone.

For teachers: in a manner that causes death or is fatal. Often used in literary or historical contexts to describe wounds, blows, or insults.

## Examples

- The knight was mortally wounded in the final battle.
- The poet used the word to describe the king's mortally insulting speech, which ended the fragile peace.
- The protagonist's journey is defined by a series of mortally dangerous encounters that test his resolve and ultimately lead to his tragic downfall.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.