# assassin

/əˈsæsən/ (US) · /ɐsˈæsɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assassin
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. political killer

noun · CEFR B2

a person who kills a famous or important person, often for money or political reasons.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. ruthless person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

someone who is very cold and determined when trying to defeat or hurt others.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. historical sect member

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a member of a specific historical group of fighters from the Middle East.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The assassin disappeared after completing the mission.
- In the spy novel, the protagonist is haunted by the assassin who killed his former partner.
- The historical account details how the assassin's use of poison and disguise made him a feared figure in the court.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.