What does mortally mean?
Mortally is an adverb meaning in a way that causes death or involves an extremely serious threat to life. It is especially common in expressions such as 'mortally wounded,' 'mortally ill,' and 'mortally dangerous,' where it describes a condition that may be fatal. The word can also convey an exceptionally severe or damaging effect, as in saying that an event 'mortally affected' someone or something, although this figurative use is more dramatic than strictly literal. Its force comes from its association with mortality and finality: it presents a danger or consequence as potentially deadly rather than merely serious. In everyday speech, people often use the more direct alternatives 'fatally' and 'seriously,' but mortally retains a formal and emphatic tone that is useful for describing grave medical conditions or severe consequences.
adverbIn a manner that causes death or is sufficiently serious to be likely to cause death; also, very greatly or severely.
- Causing death or being sufficiently serious to cause death.
- Very greatly or severely, especially in contexts involving danger, illness, injury, or emotional consequences.
"The wounded soldier was mortally injured in the attack."
"The disease is rarely fatal, but it can be mortally dangerous in very young children."
"Her decision to resign mortally affected the entire organization."
Mortally links the words mortal and mortality: all point to the ultimate human limit—death.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mortally
Mortally derives from the adjective mortal, which comes from Latin mortalis, meaning 'subject to death' or 'pertaining to death.' The Latin word is based on mors, meaning 'death.' Medieval English adopted related forms including mortal and mortality, while the adverbial form mortally developed in the same linguistic family. Cognates in other Romance languages reflect the shared Latin root, including French mortel and Spanish mortal.
Related word forms
How mortally is actually used
The word is formal and commonly used in fixed expressions such as 'mortally wounded' and 'mortally ill.' In figurative use, it often indicates an extremely serious or damaging consequence.
Easily confused with mortally
Mortal is an adjective describing something that can die or causing death, whereas mortally is an adverb describing the manner or degree of a fatal condition or situation.