lethal

[ lee-thuh l ]
/ ˈli θəl /

adjective

of, relating to, or causing death; deadly; fatal: a lethal weapon; a lethal dose.
made or carried out to cause death: a lethal chamber; a lethal attack.
causing great harm or destruction: The disclosures were lethal to his candidacy.

Origin of lethal

1575–85; < Latin lētālis, equivalent to lēt(um) death + -ālis -al1; spelling (hence pronunciation) with -h- by association with Greek lḗthē oblivion

SYNONYMS FOR lethal

1 See fatal.

OTHER WORDS FROM lethal

Example sentences from the Web for lethal

British Dictionary definitions for lethal

lethal
/ (ˈliːθəl) /

adjective

able to cause or causing death
of or suggestive of death

Derived forms of lethal

lethality (liːˈθælɪtɪ), noun lethally, adverb

Word Origin for lethal

C16: from Latin lēthālis, from lētum death

Medical definitions for lethal

lethal
[ lēthəl ]

adj.

Capable of causing death.
Of, relating to, or causing death.