manslaughter
Manslaughter (noun) means the unlawful killing of a person without the deliberate intent required for murder, for example through negligence or in the heat of the moment. Example: “He was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder because there was no premeditation.”
How to use manslaughter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA killing that's against the law but treated as less serious than murder because there was no clear intent to kill.
Don't use interchangeably with "murder" — manslaughter specifically implies a lack of premeditated intent.
Word forms
manslaughters plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was convicted of _____ rather than murder because there was no premeditation.
Etymology
From Middle English man + slaughter, echoing the older Old English mansliht ("killing of a person").
Rhymes for manslaughter
See all rhymes for manslaughter →Frequently asked questions
What does “manslaughter” mean?
The word “manslaughter” means the unlawful killing of a person without the deliberate intent required for murder, for example through negligence or in the heat of the moment. In plain terms, a killing that's against the law but treated as less serious than murder because there was no clear intent to kill.
How do you pronounce “manslaughter”?
“Manslaughter” is pronounced MAN-slaw-tuh (/ˈmænˌslɔtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “manslaughter” in a sentence?
Here is “manslaughter” used in a sentence: “He was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder because there was no premeditation.”
What part of speech is “manslaughter”?
“Manslaughter” is a noun.
Where does the word “manslaughter” come from?
The word “manslaughter” comes from Old English. From Middle English man + slaughter, echoing the older Old English mansliht ("killing of a person").
Is “manslaughter” a common word?
“Manslaughter” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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Vocabulary lists that include manslaughter: