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

He shot 45 people, ultimately killing 23, eight of them Mexican citizens.

From Salon

On March 15, 2019, inspired in part by a 2011 shooting in Norway and frustrated by what he described as the overtaking of white people by immigrants in New Zealand, Tarrant entered two mosques in the city of Christchurch and shot 91 people, killing 51 of them.

From Salon

He said Mr McGreanery’s killing had been “unjustified and unjustifiable” adding that the case “highlights the value and merit of such legacy civil actions in truth recovery and obtaining justice”.

From BBC

The two Army officers that Trump pardoned included one accused of killing a suspected Afghan bombmaker and another who was convicted of murder for directing men to fire upon three Afghans.

From BBC

The vessel suffered a catastrophic failure as it neared the sea floor, killing all five people onboard.

From BBC

Related Words

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