adj.
Pronunciation: ' f ā -t ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fatalis, from fatum fate
Date: 14th century
1 obsolete : FATED
2 : FATEFUL <a fatal hour>
3 a : of or relating to fate b : resembling fate in proceeding according to a fixed sequence c : determining one's fate
4 a : causing death b : bringing ruin <a fatal attraction to gambling> c : causing failure <a fatal design flaw>
synonyms see DEADLY