KIA
KIA (noun) means Abbreviation for "killed in action," used to describe a soldier who died in combat. Example: “The report listed three soldiers as KIA after the ambush.”
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.
The "killed in action" sense is typically written in capitals (KIA) and used in formal or military contexts.
Word forms
KIAs plural, Kias plural
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."
Rhymes for KIA
See all rhymes for KIA →Frequently asked questions
What does “KIA” mean?
The word “KIA” means abbreviation for "killed in action," used to describe a soldier who died in combat. In plain terms, either military shorthand for a combat death, or the well-known Korean car brand — context makes the meaning obvious.
How do you use “KIA” in a sentence?
Here is “KIA” used in a sentence: “The report listed three soldiers as KIA after the ambush.”
What part of speech is “KIA”?
“KIA” is a noun.
Where does the word “KIA” come from?
The word “KIA” comes from Korean. The military abbreviation comes from "killed in action"; the car brand name derives from Korean roots meaning roughly "to arise out of Asia.".
Is “KIA” a common word?
“KIA” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “KIA” have?
“KIA” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: abbreviation for "killed in action," used to describe a soldier who died in combat.
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