Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Lethal: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：fatal (lethal)

lethal 🔊

/ˈliːθl/

adj.

Something that is lethal can kill a living thing, often very quickly.

Lethal meaning illustrated with a poison warning sign and vial on lab counter

fatal 🔊

➕

/fˈeɪtl/

adj.

Causing or capable of causing death.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'letum' (death) + '-al' (adjective-forming suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Lethal sounds like 'leave all' - something so deadly it makes you leave all life behind.

📖 Example

The venom of some snakes is so lethal that a single bite can be fatal without immediate treatment. 🔊 The venom of some snakes is so fatal that a single bite can be deadly without immediate treatment.

🔗 Collocations

lethal dose – the amount of a substance that can cause death

lethal weapon – a weapon capable of causing death

lethal injection – the injection of a fatal substance as a method of execution

🔄 Synonyms

deadly (adj.) – Causing or capable of causing death; very effective in causing death.

fatal (adj.) – Causing death; resulting in ruin or disaster.

mortal (adj.) – Causing or liable to cause death; subject to death.

🚫 Antonyms

harmless (adj.) – Not able or likely to cause harm.

non-toxic (adj.) – Not poisonous or harmful.

safe (adj.) – Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed.

🌱 Derivatives

lethally (adv.) – In a manner that causes death.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'letalis', relating to death. In Roman mythology, 'Letum' was a personification of death. The word entered English via Old French 'letal'. It's frequently used in legal and medical contexts to describe the capacity to cause death.

Meaning 2：devastating (lethal)

lethal 🔊

/ˈliːθl/

adj.

Used to describe something that is extremely harmful or damaging, enough to completely ruin something.

devastating 🔊

➕

/devˈæsteɪtɪŋ/

adj.

Extremely harmful or damaging, causing complete failure or ruin.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new tax policy could deal a lethal blow to many small businesses, forcing them to close down. 🔊 The new tax policy could deal a devastating blow to many small businesses, forcing them to close down.

🔗 Collocations

lethal combination – a mix of factors that together cause ruin

lethal blow – an action or event that causes final and complete failure

lethal to morale – extremely damaging to the confidence and enthusiasm of a group

🔄 Synonyms

devastating (adj.) – Causing severe shock, distress, or grief; highly destructive.

ruinous (adj.) – Causing or likely to cause complete collapse or destruction.

catastrophic (adj.) – Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.

🚫 Antonyms

beneficial (adj.) – Resulting in good; favorable or advantageous.

constructive (adj.) – Serving a useful purpose; tending to build up.

harmless (adj.) – Not able or likely to cause harm.