Kill
verb
To cause the death of a living being.
The hunter killed the deer in the forest.
Often appears as...
- kill a person
- kill an animal
verb
To end or stop something.
She killed the conversation by changing the subject.
Often appears as...
- kill the mood
- kill the conversation
verb
To spend time in a pleasant but unproductive way.
I killed a few hours reading a book.
Often appears as...
- kill time
- kill the afternoon
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To overwhelm with emotion or sensation.
His kindness just kills me - I can't help crying.
Often appears as...
- kill with kindness
- kill with laughter
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To turn off electrical equipment.
He killed the lights before leaving the room.
Often appears as...
- kill the lights
- kill the engine
verb
To hit or strike with deadly force.
The player killed the ball into the net.
Often appears as...
- kill the ball
- kill the shot
Usage tips
Sporty
verb
To cause the death of a living being.
The hunter killed the deer in the forest.
Often appears as...
- kill a person
- kill an animal
verb
To end or stop something.
She killed the conversation by changing the subject.
Often appears as...
- kill the mood
- kill the conversation
verb
To spend time in a pleasant but unproductive way.
I killed a few hours reading a book.
Often appears as...
- kill time
- kill the afternoon
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To overwhelm with emotion or sensation.
His kindness just kills me - I can't help crying.
Often appears as...
- kill with kindness
- kill with laughter
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To turn off electrical equipment.
He killed the lights before leaving the room.
Often appears as...
- kill the lights
- kill the engine
verb
To hit or strike with deadly force.
The player killed the ball into the net.
Often appears as...
- kill the ball
- kill the shot
Usage tips
Sporty
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Violent
The word 'kill' can be used non-violently to mean causing plants or engines to stop functioning.
I think I killed the engine; it won't start anymore.
Pro Tip 2/3Unintentional Death
'Kill' doesn't always imply intent; accidents causing death also use the word 'kill'.
The man was killed in a tragic car accident.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
'Kill' can be used metaphorically for something that eliminates or quashes possibilities.
His poor attitude killed his chances of promotion.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Violent
The word 'kill' can be used non-violently to mean causing plants or engines to stop functioning.
I think I killed the engine; it won't start anymore.
Pro Tip 2/3Unintentional Death
'Kill' doesn't always imply intent; accidents causing death also use the word 'kill'.
The man was killed in a tragic car accident.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
'Kill' can be used metaphorically for something that eliminates or quashes possibilities.
His poor attitude killed his chances of promotion.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Violent
The word 'kill' can be used non-violently to mean causing plants or engines to stop functioning.
I think I killed the engine; it won't start anymore.
Pro Tip 2/3Unintentional Death
'Kill' doesn't always imply intent; accidents causing death also use the word 'kill'.
The man was killed in a tragic car accident.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
'Kill' can be used metaphorically for something that eliminates or quashes possibilities.
His poor attitude killed his chances of promotion.
Compare with
annihilatorassassinateeliminatoreradicateexecuteexterminatemurderslaywipe out
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Video examples
The loathsome, lethal...
that mosquitos aren't actually all that important. If we got rid of them, they argue, another species would simply take their place and we'd probably have far fewer deaths from malaria. The problem is that nobody knows what would happen if we killed off all the mosquitos. Something better might take their spot or perhaps something even worse.
Video examples
Dealing with Dangerous...
It's a sad fact, but as far as alligators are concerned, we humans do just about everything to encourage trouble. Have them as pets in our homes, feed wild ones and put housing developments in the middle of where they naturally live. Crocodilians kill and eat more people
Video examples
Killer Ant Swarm...
driver ants are the stuff of legend it is said that they kill everything that crosses their path it is said that no animal is safe when they're on the warpath it is even said that they will enter huts to attack people or kill babies left unattended in their courts
Video examples
The psychological weight...
prevent complications that might ruin the quality of your life or kill you so i knew that this was not going to work for me i was a hard hard-charging taipei global executive and managing my diabetes was not going
Video examples
New Laser Zaps...
scientists have developed a handheld laser that can kill mosquitoes in high volume and they're hoping that this will help combat one of the world's most
Video examples
Rethinking infidelity...
where women can be killed for straying. Now, monogamy used to be one person for life. Today, monogamy is one person at a time.
Video examples
Tiger Grieves Her Dead...
Not killed by poachers but poisoned by a villager, protecting his cattle.
Video examples
For When you Need a Good...
Not killed by poachers but poisoned by a villager, protecting his cattle.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
not killed by poachers but poisoned by a villager protecting his cattle
Video examples
Mother Lioness Hunts...
Mission accomplished. Now she must protect her kill.
Video examples
The loathsome, lethal...
that mosquitos aren't actually all that important. If we got rid of them, they argue, another species would simply take their place and we'd probably have far fewer deaths from malaria. The problem is that nobody knows what would happen if we killed off all the mosquitos. Something better might take their spot or perhaps something even worse.
Video examples
Dealing with Dangerous...
It's a sad fact, but as far as alligators are concerned, we humans do just about everything to encourage trouble. Have them as pets in our homes, feed wild ones and put housing developments in the middle of where they naturally live. Crocodilians kill and eat more people
Video examples
Killer Ant Swarm...
driver ants are the stuff of legend it is said that they kill everything that crosses their path it is said that no animal is safe when they're on the warpath it is even said that they will enter huts to attack people or kill babies left unattended in their courts
Video examples
The psychological weight...
prevent complications that might ruin the quality of your life or kill you so i knew that this was not going to work for me i was a hard hard-charging taipei global executive and managing my diabetes was not going
Video examples
New Laser Zaps...
scientists have developed a handheld laser that can kill mosquitoes in high volume and they're hoping that this will help combat one of the world's most
Video examples
Rethinking infidelity...
where women can be killed for straying. Now, monogamy used to be one person for life. Today, monogamy is one person at a time.
Video examples
Tiger Grieves Her Dead...
Not killed by poachers but poisoned by a villager, protecting his cattle.
Video examples
For When you Need a Good...
Not killed by poachers but poisoned by a villager, protecting his cattle.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
not killed by poachers but poisoned by a villager protecting his cattle
Video examples
Mother Lioness Hunts...
Mission accomplished. Now she must protect her kill.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Terry Pratchett
English Author
Nation' was one that I'd have killed myself if I hadn't written it. It was absolutely important to me that I wrote it. It was good for my soul.
Quote examples
George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright
Nothing is ever done in this world until men are prepared to kill one another if it is not done.
Quote examples
Omar N. Bradley
American General
We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living.
Quote examples
Daniel Craig
English Actor
In many films, as many different characters, I've killed many different people.
Quote examples
Yoko Ono
American Artist
When you're imagining peace, you can't kill anyone. That's good isn't it?
Quote examples
Paige Craig
American Businessman
Anytime something eats too much of my life, I kill it.
Quote examples
Michael Moore
American Activist
They said VCRs would kill the movies; it didn't.
Quote examples
Nicole Brown Simpson
American Celebrity
I'm afraid this man will kill me some day.
Quote examples
Katharine Hepburn
American Actress
Life is hard. After all, it kills you.
Quote examples
Imran Khan
Pakistani Leader
You don't kill your way to peace.
Quote examples
Terry Pratchett
English Author
Nation' was one that I'd have killed myself if I hadn't written it. It was absolutely important to me that I wrote it. It was good for my soul.
Quote examples
George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright
Nothing is ever done in this world until men are prepared to kill one another if it is not done.
Quote examples
Omar N. Bradley
American General
We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living.
Quote examples
Daniel Craig
English Actor
In many films, as many different characters, I've killed many different people.
Quote examples
Yoko Ono
American Artist
When you're imagining peace, you can't kill anyone. That's good isn't it?
Quote examples
Paige Craig
American Businessman
Anytime something eats too much of my life, I kill it.
Quote examples
Michael Moore
American Activist
They said VCRs would kill the movies; it didn't.
Quote examples
Nicole Brown Simpson
American Celebrity
I'm afraid this man will kill me some day.
Quote examples
Katharine Hepburn
American Actress
Life is hard. After all, it kills you.
Quote examples
Imran Khan
Pakistani Leader
You don't kill your way to peace.
Example 1 of 10
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