ENGLISH
REFERENCE

slayer

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈsɫeɪɝ// UK //slˈeɪɐ// slay·er

n. a person who kills a dangerous or powerful enemy, often in stories. You usually hear this word in movies or books about heroes fighting monsters.

n. a person who kills a formidable opponent or creature, typically in a heroic or mythological context. Often carries a literary or dramatic tone.


SIMPLE

The brave knight was known as a dragon slayer.

CONTEXTUAL

In many ancient myths, the hero must prove their worth by becoming a slayer of beasts.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's reputation as a giant slayer preceded him, ensuring that even the boldest warriors in the kingdom treated him with a mixture of awe and suspicion.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English slear, sleere, sleare, slaare, dissimilated from Old English slaga (“slayer”), equivalent to slay + -er.

Usage

Often used in compound nouns like 'dragon-slayer' or 'vampire-slayer'.

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