killernoun
uk/ˈkɪl.ər/us/ˈkɪl.ɚ/killer noun (DEATH)
B1 [ C ] someone who kills another person:
Police are still hoping to find the dead woman's killer.
[ C ] something that kills people, especially a disease or other illness:
Cancer and heart disease are the UK's biggest killers.
[ C ] something that destroys something:
This chemical is found in most weedkillers.
More examples
- Through a process of deduction , the detectives discovered the identity of the killer.
- The police have widened their dragnet in their search for the killer.
- Police are still hoping to find the dead woman's killer.
- She determined to avenge herself on the killer.
- The police have warned the public that the killer could strike again.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Murderers & attackers
- abductor
- assailant
- assassin
- attacker
- bandit
- beater
- butcher
- cyberbully
- death squad
- gunman
- highwayman
- marauder
- mugger
- murderer
- parricide
- poisoner
- regicide
- slasher
- slayer
- strangler
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Killing
Destroying and demolishing
killer noun (EFFORT)
[ S ] informal something that is very difficult:
The last question was a real killer.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Difficult things and people
- a (heavy) cross to bear idiom
- a bitter pill (to swallow) idiom
- a hard/tough nut to crack idiom
- albatross
- bane
- chill
- equation
- handicap
- headache
- hiccup
- hot potato
- impediment
- job
- labyrinth
- liability
- the chill wind of sth idiom
- the hard way idiom
- the sharp end
- the/a devil of a sth idiom
- thorn in your flesh/side idiom
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killer noun (AMUSEMENT)
[ C ] US and Australian English informal a very entertaining or skilful person, story, or performance:
Dizzy was a real killer on the trumpet.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Good and excellent things
- badass
- be the best thing since sliced bread idiom
- beaut
- beauty
- belter
- blinder
- flagship
- gem
- jewel
- jim-dandy
- king
- lulu
- marvel
- paragon
- peach
- the crème de la crème
- the flower of sth idiom
- the jewel in the crown idiom
- the pick of sth idiom
- the real deal
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killer
adjective [ before noun ] ukus
a killer disease
killer bees