murder
MUR-duh
Murder (noun) means the crime of deliberately killing another person. Example: “The detective spent years trying to solve the murder in the old novel.”
noun
1
The crime of deliberately killing another person.
"The detective spent years trying to solve the murder in the old novel."
"He was arrested and charged with murder."
"The murder shocked the small town."
2
The collective noun for a group of crows.
"We saw a murder of crows circling above the field at dusk."
"The old farmer said a murder of crows had settled on his scarecrow again."
"A murder of crows gathered noisily in the bare trees."
verb
1
To deliberately and unlawfully kill someone.
"In the play, the jealous king plans to murder his rival."
"The suspect is accused of murdering his business partner."
"She murdered him in cold blood over a debt."
2
To do something very badly, or to defeat someone completely (informal).
"The choir murdered that lovely hymn because nobody had rehearsed it at all."
"He absolutely murdered that karaoke song."
"Our team murdered them in the final, 6-0."
How to use murder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe unlawful, intentional killing of a person — the most serious form of homicide.
Common mistake
Murder specifically implies intent; manslaughter is used for unlawful killing without that same premeditation.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
commit murder
charged with murder
murder weapon
murder investigation
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like murder.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- murders
- Third person singular
- murders
- Past tense
- murdered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The detective spent years trying to solve the _____ in the old novel.
Etymology
From Old English morþor ("secret killing"), from a Germanic root meaning "death, killing," related to Old Norse morð and German Mord.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “murder” mean?
The word “murder” means the crime of deliberately killing another person. In plain terms, the unlawful, intentional killing of a person — the most serious form of homicide.
How do you pronounce “murder”?
“Murder” is pronounced MUR-duh (/ˈmɝ.dɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “murder” in a sentence?
Here is “murder” used in a sentence: “He was arrested and charged with murder.”
What is another word for “murder”?
Words with a similar meaning to “murder” include assassinate, kill, massacre, slaughter and remove.
What part of speech is “murder”?
Depending on how it is used, “murder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “murder” come from?
The word “murder” comes from Old English. From Old English morþor ("secret killing"), from a Germanic root meaning "death, killing," related to Old Norse morð and German Mord.
Is “murder” a common word?
“Murder” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “murder” have?
“Murder” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the crime of deliberately killing another person.
What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?
Both involve unlawfully killing someone, but intent is the key difference. Murder requires an intention to kill or cause serious harm. Manslaughter covers killings without that full intent — through recklessness, negligence, or loss of control, such as a fatal fight or accident. Because murder is deliberate, it carries heavier penalties than manslaughter.
What are the degrees of murder?
In many legal systems, especially in the United States, first-degree murder is planned and premeditated, carrying the harshest penalties. Second-degree murder is intentional but not premeditated. Some jurisdictions add third-degree or felony murder, a killing that occurs during another serious crime. The exact categories vary widely between countries and states.
What is the difference between murder and homicide?
"Homicide" is the general term for any killing of one person by another, lawful or not. "Murder" is a specific type of homicide — an unlawful, deliberate killing. Some homicides are not murder, such as lawful self-defence or manslaughter. So all murders are homicides, but not all homicides are murders.
Why is murder considered the most serious crime?
Murder permanently takes a human life, the gravest and most irreversible harm one person can cause another. Because it is deliberate, the law treats it as the most serious offence, often carrying the longest sentences, such as life imprisonment. Its severity reflects both the value placed on life and the intent behind the act.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include murder:
