ENGLISH
REFERENCE

murdered

adj. · v.
US //ˈmɝdɝd// UK //mˈɜːdəd// mur·dered
  1. 1 having been killed (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    describes a person who has been killed in a crime.

    a participial adjective describing a person who has been the victim of a homicide.

    Example

    The family of the murdered man asked for privacy during the trial.

    Example

    The detective stood silently by the grave of the murdered journalist, vowing to find the person responsible for the tragedy.

  2. 2 to perform badly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

    to perform a song or a piece of music very badly.

    to perform, utter, or represent something so poorly that it is effectively ruined.

    Example

    He really murdered that song at the karaoke bar last night.

    Example

    The amateur choir completely murdered the national anthem, missing several key notes and losing the rhythm entirely.

    Usage

    Usually takes a direct object representing a creative work or performance.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference