kill

kill · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To cause the death of a person, animal, or other living thing.

  2. 2.

    To put an end to or destroy something.

  3. 3.

    (informal) To cause pain or exhaustion.

  4. 4.

    (informal) To overwhelm with admiration or amusement.

  5. 5.

    To pass time.

  6. 6.

    An act of killing, especially of an animal.

  7. 7.

    An animal killed in a hunt.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    kill time — pass time doing something unimportant
  • •
    kill two birds with one stone — accomplish two goals with one action
  • •
    dressed to kill — wearing very attractive clothing
  • •
    if looks could kill — expressing displeasure through a look
  • •
    kill with kindness — overwhelm with generosity

Related words

Antonyms: revive, save, spare
See also: death, die, killed, murder
Synonyms: eliminate, execute, murder, slay

Etymology

From Middle English "killen," "cullen" (to strike, beat, kill), possibly from Old English "cwellan" (to kill, murder) or Old Norse "kolla" (to hit on the head). The word replaced the Old English "slēan" for causing death.