roadkill
Roadkill (noun) means an animal killed by a vehicle on the road, or the act of an animal being killed this way. Example: “They swerved to avoid becoming roadkill after a deer darted into the headlights.”
How to use roadkill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn animal hit and killed by a car, or figuratively, a helpless casualty of something bigger.
Word forms
roadkills plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They swerved to avoid becoming _____ after a deer darted into the headlights.
Etymology
A compound of "road" + "kill," coined to describe animals struck and killed by traffic.
Frequently asked questions
What does “roadkill” mean?
The word “roadkill” means an animal killed by a vehicle on the road, or the act of an animal being killed this way. In plain terms, an animal hit and killed by a car, or figuratively, a helpless casualty of something bigger.
How do you pronounce “roadkill”?
“Roadkill” is pronounced ROHD-kihl (/ˈɹoʊdˌkɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “roadkill” in a sentence?
Here is “roadkill” used in a sentence: “They swerved to avoid becoming roadkill after a deer darted into the headlights.”
What part of speech is “roadkill”?
“Roadkill” is a noun.
How many meanings does “roadkill” have?
“Roadkill” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an animal killed by a vehicle on the road, or the act of an animal being killed this way.