killer
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a person, animal, or thing that causes death.
n.a person, animal, or agent that causes the death of another living being.
Simple“The police are still searching for the killer after the attack.”
In context“The documentary explores how the invasive species became a silent killer of the local bird population within just a few years.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something that is extremely hard to do or causes a lot of stress.
n.a task, situation, or experience that is exceptionally taxing or difficult to endure.
Simple“That three-hour exam was a real killer.”
In context“The final climb of the race is a absolute killer, forcing even the most seasoned cyclists to push their physical limits.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.another name for an orca.
n.a common shorthand for the orca (Orcinus orca).
Simple“We saw a pod of killer whales swimming near the boat.”
In context“Marine biologists observed the killer whales using sophisticated hunting techniques to isolate their prey from the rest of the pod.”
Synonymsorca - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.very impressive, effective, or cool.
adj.strikingly effective, impressive, or fashionable. Often used in marketing or casual praise.
Simple“She gave a killer presentation that convinced the whole board.”
In context“The startup's new app features a killer interface that sets it apart from every other competitor in the crowded fintech market.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.deadly or very dangerous.
adj.having the capacity or tendency to cause death or total destruction.
Simple“The city was hit by a killer heatwave last summer.”
In context“The researchers identified a killer strain of the virus that appeared resistant to conventional antibiotic treatments.”
Usage killer back
“Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States.”
“Government sources confirmed on Monday night that officials were still examining whether they could block the release of Harper’s killers.”
From Middle English killer, kyller. By surface analysis, kill + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.