Meaning & use
mere mortal
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Meanings
nouncountable
an ordinary person with normal human limits, especially when compared to someone exceptional or powerful
Grammar: Countable; usually used in the singular with 'a' or in the plural 'mere mortals'.
Patterns
- a mere mortal
- mere mortals
- like a mere mortal
The famous scientist still has to eat and sleep like a mere mortal.
She may be a champion, but she gets tired just like a mere mortal.
To us mere mortals, his talent seems almost magical.
nouncountableliterary
a human being, as opposed to a god or immortal being
Grammar: Countable; often plural in myths or religious writing.
Patterns
- mere mortals
- a mere mortal
In the old stories, the gods sometimes fell in love with mere mortals.
The hero was granted powers that no mere mortal could possess.
Word forms
| plural | mere mortals |
|---|
Common combinations
- like a mere mortal
- He still has to wait in line like a mere mortal.
- us mere mortals
- The rest of us mere mortals can only dream of such speed.
- just a mere mortal
- Despite his fame, he is just a mere mortal with the same fears.
- no mere mortal
- The character is no mere mortal; she has lived for centuries.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ordinary person
- Neutral and literal; 'mere mortal' adds a slightly humorous or dramatic contrast with someone special.
- commoner
- Refers to social class rather than human limits; not a good replacement in most sentences.
- human being
- A neutral scientific or general term; it does not carry the contrast with gods or heroes.
Opposites
Commonly confused: mere mortal or mortal?
mere mortal vs mortal
As an adjective, 'mortal' means causing death or certain to die; 'mere mortal' is a noun phrase meaning an ordinary person.
Practice
In the sentence 'The superstar still has to do laundry like a mere mortal,' what does 'mere mortal' mean?
Choose one answer.
'Mere mortal' means an ordinary human being, especially when contrasted with someone exceptional. Option 0 is the opposite, option 2 confuses it with the adjective 'mortal' meaning certain to die, and option 3 takes 'laundry' too literally.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mere mortal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.