26984 words

mortal

7 definitions • 10 examples
1
(of living things, especially people) unable to continue living for ever; having to die:

Examples:

For all men are mortal.
2

Examples:

a mortal injury/illness
men engaged in mortal combat (= fighting until one of them dies)
3
extreme anxiety about or fear of someone or something:

Examples:

We live in mortal dread of further attacks.
4
a very serious and dangerous enemy, danger, threat, etc.:

Examples:

The former allies who fought together against the dictator have, in recent years, become mortal enemies.
5
an ordinary person, rather than a god or a special, important, or powerful person:

Examples:

The police officers guarding the door let in the celebrities, but they prevented us lesser/mere mortals from going inside.
6
(of living things, esp. people) unable to continue living forever; having to die:

Examples:

Humans are mortal and we all eventually die.
As the ship began to sink, they realized they were in mortal danger (= they might die).
7
a human, or an ordinary person:

Examples:

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