kill
Looking for the meaning of kill? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The act of killing.
“The assassin liked to make a clean kill, and thus favored small arms over explosives.”
Specifically, the death blow.
“The hunter delivered the kill with a pistol shot to the head.”
The result of killing; that which has been killed.
“The fox dragged its kill back to its den.”
The grounding of the ball on the opponent's court, winning the rally.
To put to death; to extinguish the life of.
“Smoking kills more people each year than alcohol and drugs combined.”
To render inoperative.
“He killed the engine and turned off the headlights, but remained in the car, waiting.”
To stop, cease or render void; to terminate.
“My computer wouldn't respond until I killed some of the running processes.”
To amaze, exceed, stun or otherwise incapacitate.
“That joke always kills me.”
To cause great pain, discomfort or distress to.
“These tight shoes are killing my feet.”
To produce feelings of dissatisfaction or revulsion in.
“It kills me to learn how many poor people are practically starving in this country while rich moguls spend such outrageous amounts on useless luxuries.”
To use up or to waste.
“He told the bartender, pointing at the bottle of scotch he planned to consume, "Leave it, I'm going to kill the bottle."”
To exert an overwhelming effect on.
“Between the two of us, we killed the rest of the case of beer.”
To overpower, overwhelm or defeat.
“The team had absolutely killed their traditional rivals, and the local sports bars were raucous with celebrations.”
To force a company out of business.
To produce intense pain.
“You don't ever want to get rabies. The doctor will have to give you multiple shots and they really kill.”
To punish severely.
“My parents are going to kill me!”
To strike (a ball, etc.) with such force and placement as to make a shot that is impossible to defend against, usually winning a point.
To cause (a ball, etc.) to be out of play, resulting in a stoppage of gameplay.
To succeed with an audience, especially in comedy.
To cause to assume the value zero.
(IRC) To disconnect (a user) involuntarily from the network.
To deadmelt.
Understanding "kill"
The word **"kill"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/kɪl/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"kill"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "kill" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "kill" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "kill" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /kɪl/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "kill" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "kill" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "kill" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "kill". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/kɪl/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "kill" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use kill in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "kill" can be used in academic and casual conversations.