# kirk

/ˈkɝk/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a church building

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect

a word for a church, used mostly in Scotland and Northern England.

For teachers: a church building or congregation. Used primarily in Scottish and Northern English dialects.

- The old stone kirk stands on the hill overlooking the village.
- The villagers gathered at the local kirk for the Sunday service, maintaining a tradition that had lasted for centuries.

Usage: Used as a common noun, often preceded by 'the'.

### 2. the Church of Scotland

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect

the national church of Scotland.

For teachers: the Church of Scotland as an institution. Often capitalized as 'the Kirk'.

- He was a dedicated member of the Kirk for his entire life.
- The General Assembly of the Kirk met in Edinburgh to discuss matters of national importance.

Usage: Usually capitalized when referring to the specific national institution.

### 3. to kill

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang

to kill or murder someone, usually for political reasons.

For teachers: to assassinate or kill, particularly in a political context. This usage is highly informal and restricted to specific slang registers.

- The movie was about a secret agent sent to kirk a corrupt leader.
- The plot involved a rogue operative attempting to kirk the prime minister during the summit.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

## Examples

- The old stone kirk stands on top of the hill.
- Many families in the village gather at the kirk every Sunday morning for the traditional service.
- While the architecture of the local kirk was modest, its historical significance to the community was immense, serving as a record of three centuries of births and marriages.

---

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.