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
Holly Gibney is back on the case, this time facing both a serial killer and a stalker. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025 Fast forward about four decades to 2023, when the county Crime Lab, run by the DA’s office, was tasked with re-examining the available physical evidence from Peterson’s killing to look for any forensic traces of her killer. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 June 2025 The film is controversial for how the killer is revealed during a moment of transgender panic that’s still jarring to watch. Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 2 June 2025 If the price of the Pixel 10 were to rise, that would risk the flagship killer's space. Pixel 10 And Pixel 10 Pro Driving Conversation Unlike other Android manufacturers (perhaps excepting Samsung), Google has a totemic relationship with the consumers through the Pixel line-up. Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 2 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 10 Jun. 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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