killer

1 of 2

noun

kill·​er ˈki-lər How to pronounce killer (audio)
Synonyms of killernext
1
: one that kills
2
3
a
: one that has a forceful, violent, or striking impact
b
: one that is extremely difficult to deal with

killer

2 of 2

adjective

1
: strikingly impressive or effective
a killer smile
a killer résumé
2
: extremely difficult to deal with
a killer fastball
also : causing death or devastation
a killer tornado

Examples of killer in a Sentence

Noun Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women. The chemical is used as a weed killer. Adjective killer viruses that claimed millions of lives a killer exercise program guaranteed to whip you into shape
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Down below, an Army private (Charles Melton) hunts the killer. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026 In an era where picking apart golf courses, even major championship ones, with a flavor of violence has become the expectation, there was a welcome shock factor seeing a someone like Aaron Rai emerge from the pack of certified killers to get his hands on the Wanamaker Trophy. Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026 Shortly after Lennon was shot, his killer, Mark David Chapman, confessed at the scene of the crime. Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026 The resulting feature is enigmatic and lightly campy, strange and hallucinatory, taking place in a liminal futuristic city that’s clogged with thick mist and terrorized by a violent serial killer named Leather Man. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for killer

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1939, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of killer was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

killer

1 of 2 noun
ˈkil-ər
1
: one that kills
2

killer

2 of 2 adjective
1
: strikingly impressive or effective
a killer smile
2
: extremely difficult
a killer exam
also : causing death or devastation
a killer tornado

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