Word
homicidal
Phoneticshomi·ci·dal
US/ˌhɑməˈsaɪdəɫ/
UK/hˌɒmɪsˈaɪdəl/
Definition
adj. describing someone who wants to kill another person. It is often used to talk about a person's mental state or a very dangerous situation.
adj. relating to or involving the killing of another person. Often used in a psychological or forensic context to describe a person's intent or a specific mental state.
Examples
“The police are looking for a homicidal man who fled the scene.”
“The psychiatrist evaluated the suspect to determine if he was homicidal or acting in a moment of panic.”
“The novel explores the thin line between homicidal intent and a temporary loss of self-control during a period of extreme emotional distress.”
Examples
simple
“The police are looking for a homicidal man who fled the scene.”
contextual
“The psychiatrist evaluated the suspect to determine if he was homicidal or acting in a moment of panic.”
complex
“The novel explores the thin line between homicidal intent and a temporary loss of self-control during a period of extreme emotional distress.”
Real-World Examples
“Instead, it had only a single homicidal agenda: to kill as many Jews as possible and to destroy the state of Israel.” “It will be remembered as the place in Canada where the Intifada – the bloody, homicidal uprising against Jews – was finally globalized.” Etymology
From homicide + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/homicidal