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killer

killer

1.9
A person or animal that makes another living thing die on purpose
  • noun
  • /ˈkɪlər/
  • NSFW
translation icon : asesino
  • Demi's been murdered, and there's a killer on the loose!
  • serial killer
  • killers and victims
  • killers and accomplices

The irony of somebody who is a killer trying to become an actor.

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Examples

  • In the documentary, the detective discussed the methods used to catch the notorious killer.

  • After months of investigation, they finally identified the killer who committed the series of murders.

  • We have a killer amongst us.

  • To this day, the real killers are still free and protected.

  • Please describe the killer for me, Miss Clark.

  • What we now know is that this killer started fifteen years ago, if not sooner.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Los Angeles police chief, Dennis Warren stated today that the killer will be caught and that the police department is working around the clock to bring the killer to justice.

  • I am convinced we have another personal-ad serial killer out there, and a damn clever one.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The police arrested a man they believe is the killer responsible for the recent crimes.

Synonyms

murderer
vskiller
  • NSFW
946 3.4

A person who illegally kills another person on purpose

is broader, applying to any person or animal that causes death
assassin
vskiller
  • NSFW
230 6.3

A person who secretly kills a leader for political or religious reasons

is more general, used for any deliberate killing not only political attacks
slayer
vskiller
  • NSFW
181 6.5

A person who kills others, often dangerous animals or enemies

is wider, referring to causing death of people or animals especially deliberately
butcher
vskiller
  • NSFW
31 8.6

A person who kills people in a cruel way

is more neutral, referring to causing death without stressing cruelty
murderess
vskiller
  • NSFW
7 6.9

A woman who kills another person on purpose

is the neutral term for any person or animal who causes death
cutthroat
vskiller
  • NSFW
5 9.5

A person who kills another by cutting their throat

is broader, covering any cause of death not tied to one method
assassinator
vskiller
1 8.3

A person who secretly kills an important person, often for money

is less specific, covering deliberate killing without hired or prominent limits
sicarius
vskiller
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who kills someone on purpose

is broader, also including nonhuman agents that cause death
liquidator
vskiller
  • Offensive
9.6

A person who kills others for political or criminal reasons

is more general, applying to deliberate killing without systematic methods

Antonyms

savior
  • US
194 3.2

A person who helps someone escape danger or harm

129 2.8

A person who defends and cares for another person or thing

Compounds

232 4.1

A person who kills several people over time, often in the same way

20 3.2

A large black and white whale with teeth that hunts other sea animals

baby-killer
  • Offensive
11 9.9

An insulting name for a person who kills or is accused of killing babies

5 9.2

A person who kills several people in a short time in different places without pausing

4 3.2

A substance that kills unwanted plants in gardens or on lawns

3 6.9

An aggressive bee from Brazil made by crossing African and European honeybees

3 7.0

A man who is very charming and attracts many women

killer cell
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A white blood cell that finds and kills virus-infected cells

1 9.9

A thing that suddenly ruins excitement or pleasure

killer bee
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A banker who helps a company avoid being taken over by another firm

party killer
  • Informal
1 7.2

A person or thing that ruins the fun at a party

thrill killer
  • Informal
1 8.9

Someone or something that spoils excitement

A large fly that looks like a bee and catches other insects in the air to drink their juices

9.5

A large wasp that hunts cicadas

killer T cell
  • Specialized
5.2

A white blood cell that finds and destroys virus-infected or cancerous body cells

7.8

A man who many women find very attractive and who often takes advantage of them

How Deadly

assassin
  • NSFW
230 6.3
slayer
  • NSFW
181 6.5
killer
  • NSFW
1.9
executioner
  • NSFW
47 7.2
attacker
167 2.5

Surface Forms

killer singular
killers plural

Morphology

killer = kill (transparent) = kill + er

Standard agent-noun formation from the verb 'kill' with the productive suffix '-er'; learners can readily infer 'person/animal that kills'.

Etymology

Killer comes from the verb kill, which means 'to cause death', plus the ending -er that makes words like driver or teacher. So a killer is simply someone or an animal that causes death.