What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fatally
Example
The driver was fatally injured in the car accident. [fatally: adverb]
Example
The disease had progressed fatally, and there was no hope for recovery. [fatally: adverb]
deadly
Example
The snake's venom is deadly and can kill within minutes. [deadly: adjective]
Example
The hurricane was deadly, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. [deadly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deadly is more commonly used than fatally in everyday language. Deadly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fatally is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fatally and deadly?
Fatally is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language, while deadly is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.