Kill: meaning, definitions and examples

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kill

[kɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

crime

To cause the death of a person, animal or plant intentionally.

Synonyms

murder, slay, terminate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
kill	General term for ending the life of a living being. Can be used in various contexts, including self-defense, hunting, or accidents. He killed the spider in his room. The lion killed its prey.
murder	Specifically used when a person unlawfully takes the life of another person. Has a legal and negative connotation, often associated with crime. She was convicted of murder. The detective is investigating a murder case.
slay	Often used in a historic or fantasy context, referring to killing in a dramatic or heroic way. Can also be colloquially used to mean 'impressive' in modern slang. The knight slayed the dragon. You slayed that performance!
terminate	May refer to ending something definitively, including contracts or services. When referring to life, it is more formal and impersonal, often used in scientific or technical contexts. The company decided to terminate the contract. The procedure will safely terminate the embryo.

Examples of usage

He was sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife.
The hunter killed a deer for food.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

stop

To stop the operation or activity of something.

Synonyms

end, halt, terminate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
kill	This word is typically used when referring to ending a life or causing the death of a living being. It has a very strong and often negative connotation. The hunter managed to kill the deer The soldier was forced to kill in the line of duty
end	This word is used for bringing something to a conclusion or stopping an activity. It is neutral and can apply to both abstract and concrete situations. She decided to end the relationship The movie ends with a surprising twist
terminate	This word is more formal and is often used in official or technical contexts to mean bringing something to an end. It is neutral but can imply a definitive end. The company decided to terminate his contract The scientist recommended terminating the experiment
halt	This word is used for a sudden stop to an activity or movement. It often implies a temporary stop rather than a permanent one. The traffic came to a halt due to the accident The project was halted because of lack of funds

Examples of usage

The company decided to kill the project due to lack of funding.
He killed the engine to save fuel.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

success

A resounding success or hit.

Synonyms

hit, success, triumph.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
kill	This word is used when someone or something causes the death of a person, animal, or creature. It has a very strong and often negative connotation. The hunter was able to kill the deer with a single shot. She was shocked to hear that he killed a man in self-defense.
success	This word is used to describe the achievement of a goal or the attainment of something desired. It has a positive connotation. Graduating from college was a huge success for him. The project was a success because everyone worked hard.
hit	This word is used when talking about striking someone or something with force. It can also be used figuratively to describe the success or popularity of something, like a song or movie. This word can be neutral or negative, depending on the context. He hit the ball so hard that it went out of the park. Her new song was a hit and topped the charts for weeks.
triumph	This word is used for very significant or noteworthy successes, often implying a sense of victory after struggle or overcoming challenges. It carries a very positive and sometimes grandiose connotation. Her victory in the marathon was a personal triumph. They celebrated their triumph over the adversities they faced.

Examples of usage

The new product was a kill in the market.
Her performance in the play was a kill.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word has roots in Old Norse 'killa', which meant to 'strike' or 'hit'.
In Middle English, the term took on a more serious connotation, related to taking life.
The evolution of the word reflects changing attitudes towards violence and death across cultures.

Literature

In Shakespeare's works, the concept of 'killing' often explores themes of ambition and morality, like in 'Macbeth'.
The phrase 'to kill two birds with one stone' appears in various literary pieces, symbolizing efficiency.
Dark romance literature frequently uses the notion of 'killing' in a metaphorical sense to depict the end of relationships.

Psychology

The act of aggression can be linked to deeper psychological issues, revealing underlying emotions like fear or anxiety.
Research shows that witnessing violence can desensitize individuals, altering their perception of harm.
The study of violent behavior investigates situational and environmental factors that may lead to aggressive actions.

Pop Culture

The video game 'Call of Duty' centers around combat and strategy, with the term being an everyday part of gameplay.
Films like 'Kill Bill' highlight themes of revenge, showcasing the complexity of character emotions related to the act of killing.
In modern music, the term often appears in lyrics as a metaphor for heartbreak or loss.

Science

In biological terms, certain processes are described as 'killing' when referring to the removal of cells or pathogens.
The concept of 'kill' plays a crucial role in ecology, where predators help maintain the balance of ecosystems.
Antimicrobial treatments are designed to kill harmful bacteria while leaving beneficial ones unharmed.

Translations

Translations of the word "kill" in other languages:

🇵🇹 matar

🇮🇳 मारना

🇩🇪 töten

🇮🇩 membunuh

🇺🇦 вбити

🇵🇱 zabić

🇯🇵 殺す (korosu)

🇫🇷 tuer

🇪🇸 matar

🇹🇷 öldürmek

🇰🇷 죽이다 (jugida)

🇸🇦 قتل (qatl)

🇨🇿 zabít

🇸🇰 zabiť

🇨🇳 杀 (shā)

🇸🇮 ubiti

🇮🇸 drepa

🇰🇿 өлтіру

🇬🇪 მოკვლა (mokvlva)

🇦🇿 öldürmək

🇲🇽 matar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,519, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2516 varied
2517 waves
2518 grants
2519 kill
2520 inquiry
2521 abuse
2522 beam
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