mortal sin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Literary
Quick answer
What does “mortal sin” mean?
In Christian theology, a grave sin that destroys the soul's relationship with God and leads to damnation unless repented.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In Christian theology, a grave sin that destroys the soul's relationship with God and leads to damnation unless repented.
Any extremely serious or unforgivable transgression against moral or ethical principles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both regions use the term primarily in religious contexts. Secular hyperbolic use is slightly more common in American media.
Connotations
In the UK, the term retains stronger traditional religious associations. In the US, it is more frequently used in secular, exaggerated contexts (e.g., 'It's a mortal sin to waste good coffee').
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mortal sin” in a Sentence
to commit [a] mortal sinthe mortal sin of [noun/gerund]to be guilty of [a] mortal sinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mortal sin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- One can mortally sin through a deliberate, grave action.
- He was accused of having mortally sinned against charity.
American English
- To mortally sin requires full intent and serious matter.
- They believed he had mortally sinned by his betrayal.
adverb
British English
- The council ruled that the act was mortally sinful.
- He behaved mortally sinfully in that affair.
American English
- They considered the betrayal mortally sinful.
- To act with such hatred is to act mortally sinfully.
adjective
British English
- The mortal-sin nature of the act was debated by the theologians.
- He faced a mortal-sin accusation.
American English
- The act had mortal-sin implications according to their doctrine.
- It was a mortal-sin offense in their view.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in hyperbolic ethics training: 'Falsifying data is a mortal sin in this company.'
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, ethics, and literature courses.
Everyday
Rare. Used hyperbolically for strong disapproval: 'Putting milk in first is a mortal sin for tea purists.'
Technical
Specific term in Catholic moral theology with defined conditions (grave matter, full knowledge, deliberate consent).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mortal sin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mortal sin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mortal sin”
- Using 'mortal sin' interchangeably with 'deadly sin' (the latter refers specifically to the seven capital sins). Confusing 'mortal' with 'moral'. Using in casual contexts where 'big mistake' or 'serious error' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A mortal sin is a grave violation of God's law that destroys charity in the heart and turns one away from God, leading to eternal damnation if unrepented. A venial sin is a less serious transgression that weakens but does not destroy one's relationship with God.
Yes, but it is usually hyperbolic or metaphorical. In secular contexts, people might say 'It's a mortal sin to waste food' to express strong disapproval, not literal religious belief.
Not exactly. The 'Seven Deadly Sins' (pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, sloth) are categories of vice that can lead to mortal sins. A mortal sin is a specific, grave act arising from these or other vices.
No. The formal distinction between mortal and venial sin is most clearly defined in Roman Catholic theology. Some Protestant traditions reject the categorization, emphasizing that all sin separates one from God, though they may acknowledge degrees of seriousness.
In Christian theology, a grave sin that destroys the soul's relationship with God and leads to damnation unless repented.
Mortal sin is usually formal, religious, literary in register.
Mortal sin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɔː.təl ˈsɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɔːr.t̬əl ˈsɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a mortal sin to... (hyperbolic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MORTAL' as in 'death' – a sin that kills grace in the soul.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIN IS A DISEASE / SIN IS A DEBT / SIN IS A STAIN (mortal sin is a fatal disease, an unpayable debt, an indelible stain).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a traditional condition for a mortal sin in Catholic theology?