slay
9 synonyms for slay, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To kill.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
bump off
polish off
How to use slay
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
slay a dragon
slay it
you slayed that
The "impress" sense is very informal internet/pop-culture slang, common since the 2010s.
Etymology
From Old English slean ("to strike, kill"), related to modern German schlagen ("to hit"); the same root behind "slaughter."
Full origin of slay →Frequently asked questions
What does “slay” mean?
The word “slay” means to kill. In plain terms, traditionally means to kill; in current slang it means to do something impressively well.
How do you pronounce “slay”?
“Slay” is pronounced slay (/sleɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “slay” in a sentence?
Here is “slay” used in a sentence: “The knight set out to slay the dragon.”
What part of speech is “slay”?
“Slay” is a verb.
Where does the word “slay” come from?
The word “slay” comes from Old English. From Old English slean ("to strike, kill"), related to modern German schlagen ("to hit"); the same root behind "slaughter.".
Is “slay” a common word?
“Slay” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “slay” have?
“Slay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to kill.
