noun
KIA
noun
1
Abbreviation for "killed in action," used to describe a soldier who died in combat.
"The report listed three soldiers as KIA after the ambush."
2
A car made by the South Korean manufacturer Kia.
"She drove an old Kia to work every day."
How to Use KIA
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither military shorthand for a combat death, or the well-known Korean car brand — context makes the meaning obvious.
When to use it
The "killed in action" sense is typically written in capitals (KIA) and used in formal or military contexts.
Word Forms
KIAs plural, Kias plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “KIA”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The report listed three soldiers as _____ after the ambush.
Etymology
The military abbreviation comes from "killed in action"; the car brand name derives from Korean roots meaning roughly "to arise out of Asia."