killer

1 of 2

noun

kill·​er ˈki-lər How to pronounce killer (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The story follows ex-addict Kirsty, played by Simone McIntyre, who risks her new life by re-entering the brutal world of heroin and prostitution, and unknowingly the stalking grounds of a serial killer, to save her best friend Becky, played by Bear Thompson. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025 Based on true events, a thriller about a serial rapist and killer targeting women in Northern Spain during the Carlist Wars, 20 years before Jack the Ripper haunted the streets of London. Jamie Lang, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025 Successful record exec Dre (Taye Diggs) has everything going for him: a growing career, a gorgeous wife (Nicole Ari Parker), close friends, and killer good looks. James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025 His characteristically sparse prose only makes this portrait of a necrophiliac serial killer haunting the hill country of eastern Tennessee that much more disturbing: Lester Ballard makes Norman Bates look like Beaver Cleaver. M.l. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for killer 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1951, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near killer

Cite this Entry

“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on killer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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