killer whale
20
3.2
- noun
- /ˈkɪlər weɪl/
:
orca
- The audience in the stands applauds as the killer whale splashes back into the water.
- killer whale attack
- killer whale predation
- killer whale mortality
Examples
-
Instead of targeting a specific individual during the attacks, the killer whales appear to have attacked at random.
Academic text (1998) -
As fresh blood again colors the surface, two more killer whales join the attack.
Academic text (1998) -
Are they at least killer whales, sir?
-
and this is the brain of a killer whale.
-
It's either a great white or another killer whale.
-
The ice may also provide some protection from killer whale attacks.
Academic text (1995) -
The orca, or killer whale,is the king of the ocean.
-
Then, as if on cue, a bull killer whale rushes in.
Academic text (1998) -
Off the rugged coast of the Pacific Northwest, pods of killer whales inhabit the frigid waters.
-
Off the rugged coast of the Pacific Northwest, pods of killer whales inhabit the frigid waters.
Synonyms
38
2.2
A large black-and-white whale that hunts other animals
25
3.4
A large black and white whale with sharp teeth that hunts other animals
1
6.0
A large black-and-white whale with teeth and a tall fin that hunts in groups
1
8.7
A medium-sized black and grey whale that hunts in groups
A large black-and-white whale that hunts other sea animals like seals and fish
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is fully compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'killer' and 'whale' can infer it denotes a whale associated with killing or predatory behavior (i.e., a type of whale). Although taxonomically it is an orca (a dolphin species), the noun+noun composition directly signals a kind of whale, making the meaning transparent and cross-linguistically accessible.
Etymology
Killer whale may come from old sailors who saw these black-and-white animals hunting big whales. They called them 'whale killers' and the words whale and killer were put together as killer whale, which is why the name means a whale that hunts and can kill large animals.