killer
KIH-luh
Killer (noun) means a person or animal that kills, especially one who murders someone. Example: “Police are still searching for the killer.”
noun
1
A person or animal that kills, especially one who murders someone.
"Police are still searching for the killer."
"The detective believed the killer had known the victim well."
"A lion is a natural killer, hunting for food each night."
adj
1
Extremely impressive, excellent, or effective.
"She played a killer set at the festival."
"That was a killer presentation — well done."
"The band closed the show with a killer guitar solo."
How to use killer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who kills, or (informally) something outstandingly good or difficult.
When to use it
The "excellent" sense is informal slang, common in casual speech.
Common pairings
serial killer
killer instinct
killer app
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Word forms
- Plural
- killers
- Comparative
- more killer
- Superlative
- most killer
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police are still searching for the _____.
Etymology
From Middle English "killer/kyller," formed from "kill" + the agent suffix "-er."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
healer
life giver
Related words
Rhymes for killer
See all rhymes for 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.
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