Word
assassin
Phoneticsas·sas·sin, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈsæsən/
UK/ɐsˈæsɪn/
Definitions
01political killer
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person who kills a famous or important person, often for money or political reasons.
n. a person who murders a prominent public or political figure, usually for hire or as part of a political conspiracy.
“The police caught the assassin before he could reach the president's car.”
“Historians still debate whether the assassin acted alone or was part of a larger network of political dissidents.”
02ruthless person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal
n. someone who is very cold and determined when trying to defeat or hurt others.
n. a person who acts with ruthless efficiency or coldness, often in a competitive or aggressive context.
“In the boardroom, she was a total assassin who never let a deal fail.”
“The striker was a clinical assassin in front of the goal, converting even the most difficult chances into points for his team.”
03historical sect member
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. a member of a specific historical group of fighters from the Middle East.
n. a member of the Nizari Ismaili sect during the Crusades, known for carrying out targeted killings of political enemies.
“The book explains how the original Assassins lived in mountain fortresses.”
“The term originates from the medieval Assassins, a secretive order that exerted significant political influence through strategic eliminations.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “assassin” in context.
Verb
01. hire an assassin
“The villain decided to hire an assassin to eliminate his rival.”
verb + noun
02. send an assassin
“The king feared that his enemies would send an assassin to the palace.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. hired assassin
“The police discovered that the killer was a professional hired assassin.”
adj + noun
04. ruthless assassin
“In the movie, she plays a ruthless assassin who never misses her target.”
adj + noun
05. would-be assassin
“Security guards quickly tackled the would-be assassin before he could reach the stage.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. assassin's bullet
“The president narrowly escaped the assassin's bullet during the parade.”
noun + noun
07. identity of the assassin
“Detectives are still trying to uncover the true identity of the assassin.”
noun + of + noun
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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