killer
9 synonyms and 2 antonyms for killer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person or animal that kills, especially one who murders someone.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
healer
life giver
How to use killer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
serial killer
killer instinct
killer app
The "excellent" sense is informal slang, common in casual speech.
Etymology
From Middle English "killer/kyller," formed from "kill" + the agent suffix "-er."
Full origin of killer →Frequently asked questions
What does “killer” mean?
The word “killer” means a person or animal that kills, especially one who murders someone. In plain terms, someone who kills, or (informally) something outstandingly good or difficult.
How do you pronounce “killer”?
“Killer” is pronounced KIH-luh (/ˈkɪlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “killer” in a sentence?
Here is “killer” used in a sentence: “Police are still searching for the killer.”
What is another word for “killer”?
Words with a similar meaning to “killer” include homicide and homicider.
What is the opposite of “killer”?
The opposite of “killer” — its antonyms — are healer and life giver.
What part of speech is “killer”?
Depending on how it is used, “killer” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “killer” come from?
The word “killer” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "killer/kyller," formed from "kill" + the agent suffix "-er.".
Is “killer” a common word?
“Killer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a killer and a murderer?
A killer is anyone or anything that causes death — a person, an animal, or even a disease — and the killing may be lawful, accidental, or intentional. A murderer is more specific: a person who unlawfully and usually deliberately kills another person. Every murderer is a killer, but not every killer is a murderer.
Can killer be a positive word?
Yes, in informal use. As slang, killer often means excellent or outstanding, as in 'a killer performance' or 'a killer deal.' It can also mean something extremely difficult or demanding, such as 'a killer workout.' The tone is casual, and the meaning is usually admiring rather than literal.
What is an example of killer?
In its main sense, killer names someone or something that kills, as in 'police are searching for the killer' or 'the lion is a skilled killer.' Informally it can also mean excellent or gruelling, as in 'that hill is a killer.' Context makes the meaning clear.
