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
Men like the Paxton killers envisioned an American landscape stripped of its Indigenous inhabitants, where settlers could live on their land with their wives and children in peace and prosperity. Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 As the killers approach, Mo sends Rainwater and Tate upstairs for safety and tucks his long braids away. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2026 Then there’s the killer storytelling instincts. Chelsea Tobin, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 Artturi Lehkonen, a longtime playoff killer, has no points and just five shots on goal in this series. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 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 26 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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