killing

[ kil-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that kills.
2. the total game killed on a hunt.
3. Informal. a quick and unusually large profit or financial gain:

   We would all like to win the lottery or make a killing in the stock market.

adjective

1. fatal; deadly:

   Tuberculosis was a killing disease well into the 20th century, and society found itself with few remedies.

2. exhausting:

   An ever-expanding workload is imperceptible at first, but eventually we're operating at a killing pace.

3. Informal. irresistibly funny.
4. Slang. very attractive or fascinating:

   The actress is known for her outstanding beauty and killing smile.

killing

/ ˈkɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal.
   very tiring; exhausting

   a killing pace

2. informal.
   extremely funny; hilarious
3. causing death; fatal

noun

1. the act of causing death; slaying
2. informal.
   a sudden stroke of success, usually financial, as in speculations on the stock market (esp in the phrase make a killing )

Derived Forms

• ˈkillingly, adverb

Other Words From

• kill·ing·ly adverb
• self-kill·ing adjective
• un·kill·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of killing¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English killing(e), kyllyng(e) (gerund); kill ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Mr Straw added the act was an "unlawful killing".

From BBC

In a written statement, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified Nicholas Jones, 32, as a murder suspect in the killing.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month, a wooden dugout canoe, packed with nearly 300 passengers, overturned and sank in the middle of the River Niger killing nearly 200 people.

From BBC

The killing of strangers is rare, and these tend to be cases where perpetrators are severely mentally unwell.

From BBC

“The Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing.”

From Salon

Related Words

• assassination
• bloodshed
• carnage
• homicide
• manslaughter
• massacre
• slaughter
• slaying