Word
slaying
Phoneticsslay·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɫeɪɪŋ/
UK/slˈeɪɪŋ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the act of killing someone or something in a violent way. It is often used in news stories about crimes or in old stories about heroes killing monsters.
n. the act of killing, especially in a violent or intentional manner. Often carries a literary or journalistic tone when describing homicides or the killing of mythical creatures.
Examples
“The knight was famous for his slaying of the dragon.”
“Local news outlets reported on the brutal slaying that occurred in the downtown district late last night.”
“The epic poem concludes with the hero's dramatic slaying of his rival, a scene that scholars interpret as the symbolic triumph of order over primordial chaos.”
Examples
simple
“The knight was famous for his slaying of the dragon.”
contextual
“Local news outlets reported on the brutal slaying that occurred in the downtown district late last night.”
complex
“The epic poem concludes with the hero's dramatic slaying of his rival, a scene that scholars interpret as the symbolic triumph of order over primordial chaos.”
Usage
Often appears in the construction 'the slaying of' followed by the victim.
Real-World Examples
“Second-degree murder applies to unlawful slayings with malice or extreme recklessness that weren’t previously planned.” “In 2022, he was convicted by a jury of two counts of second-degree murder in the slayings of Smart and Modekwe and the aggravated assault of a female bystander hit in the leg.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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