killing
KIHL-ihng
Killing (noun) means an act in which someone or something is killed. Example: “The killing shocked the small town.”
noun
1
An act in which someone or something is killed.
"The killing shocked the small town."
"The documentary explained why the killing of wolves upset the whole ecosystem."
"Hunting laws forbid the killing of protected birds in this region."
2
A large, sudden profit or financial gain — usually in the phrase "make a killing."
"The bakery made a killing selling umbrellas during the rainy week."
"He made a killing by selling his old comics online."
"They made a killing on that property sale."
adj
1
So funny that it makes you laugh uncontrollably.
"His impression of the boss was absolutely killing."
"That comedian was killing last night, and we laughed until our sides hurt."
"The sketch about the lost tourist was killing, and nobody could keep a straight face."
How to use killing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of causing death; informally, also a big financial win, or something hilariously funny.
Common pairings
make a killing
a brutal killing
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Word forms
- Plural
- killings
- Comparative
- more killing
- Superlative
- most killing
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The _____ shocked the small town.
Etymology
From Middle English "kyllyng," the noun/adjective form of "kill."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for killing
willing
filling
milling
billing
chilling
drilling
spilling
grilling
trilling
Shilling
unwilling
thrilling
See all rhymes for killing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “killing” mean?
The word “killing” means an act in which someone or something is killed. In plain terms, the act of causing death; informally, also a big financial win, or something hilariously funny.
How do you pronounce “killing”?
“Killing” is pronounced KIHL-ihng (/ˈkɪl.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “killing” in a sentence?
Here is “killing” used in a sentence: “The killing shocked the small town.”
What part of speech is “killing”?
Depending on how it is used, “killing” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “killing” come from?
The word “killing” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "kyllyng," the noun/adjective form of "kill.".
Is “killing” a common word?
“Killing” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “killing” have?
“Killing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an act in which someone or something is killed.
What is the difference between killing and murder?
Killing is the neutral, general term for causing death, and it may be lawful, accidental, or unavoidable — as in self-defence, warfare, or an accident. Murder is a narrower legal term: the unlawful, deliberate killing of a person. Every murder is a killing, but many killings are not murders, because they lack the unlawful intent that defines the crime.
Is killing always a crime?
No. Whether a killing is a crime depends on law and circumstance. Many are treated as lawful — for example, deaths in self-defence, in war under the rules of conflict, or by lawful execution where it applies. The word itself is neutral and simply names the act; on its own it does not imply wrongdoing.
What does 'make a killing' mean?
This is a separate, informal sense unrelated to death. To 'make a killing' means to earn a large amount of money very quickly, often through a single lucrative deal or a sudden market gain — 'they made a killing selling the shares.' Here 'a killing' simply means a big financial success, with no violent meaning at all.
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