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Added 3 October 2026

fatal

/ˈfeɪ.təl/ adjective

In Latin: fatalis Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about fatal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Proceeding from, or appointed by, fate or destiny.
Foreboding death or great disaster.
Causing death or destruction.
a fatal wound; a fatal disease; that fatal day; a fatal mistake

noun

A fatality; an event that leads to death.
another fatal on the turnpike during rush hour
A fatal error; a failure that causes a program to terminate.

Origin

From Middle French fatal, from Latin fātālis (“fatal”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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