# slasher

/ˈsɫæʃɝ/ (US) · /slˈæʃɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slasher
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a person who uses a knife or other sharp tool to hurt or kill someone. It is a short, informal way to describe a killer in horror movies or a soldier with a weapon.

For teachers: a person who uses a sharp instrument, such as a knife or sword, to inflict injury or death. Often used as a clipped form of 'slasher film' or 'slasher weapon' in informal contexts.

## Examples

- The movie features a mysterious slasher who hides in the dark.
- The security team was trained to identify a slasher in the crowd during the festival.

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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.