fatal accident
9
2.9
- noun
- /ˈfeɪtəl ˈæksɪdənt/
:
accidente fatal
- While driving me to skating practice, my parents were in a fatal accident.
- fatal accident occurred
Examples
-
But the challenge of preventing fatal accidents doesn't end here.
-
Recently, on June 18, 1908, a terrible fatal accident occurred when a child of about six died in a well.
Academic text (1997) -
Perhaps on the way back, my car would be involved in a fatal accident.
Fiction book (2001) -
It's easy to throw the book at you if you cause a fatal accident while on the phone.
Blog text (19) -
Actually, the most critical decisions made in terms of safety are the ones that relate to fatal accidents.
Blog text (25) -
A fatal accident was reported in the city ofWakonda.
-
Indiana State Police are on the scene of a fatal accident in Warrick County.
Blog text (12) -
Last year, more than 100,000 Toyota vehicles were involved in a fatal accident.
Blog text (29) -
Fatal accidents occurred, and waste spilled into the environment; negative publicity followed.
Academic text (2011) -
A head-on collision between two cars resulted in a fatal accident on the freeway.
Synonyms
76
5.7
A death caused by an accident, disaster, or violence
45
3.5
Deaths of people caused by accidents, disasters, or violence
24
4.6
A death caused by an accident or other event
How Severe
9
2.9
266
6.6
- Archaic
107
1.0
- Specialized
1
8.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an accident that results in death' is directly and transparently built from 'fatal' (producing death) modifying 'accident' (an unforeseen harmful event). This adjective + noun composition follows standard, cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The phrase fatal accident uses fatal, a word that long ago meant 'causing death'. Picture an accident so serious it ends a life; that's why it means an accident that makes someone 'die'.