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 Word Forms

• 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 had planned to murder his family and then continue the killing at his former primary school in Luton where he would have shot teachers and four-year-old children.

From BBC

While authorities have claimed that Valdez tried to grab the officer’s gun and taser, his family alleges police unnecessarily escalated the confrontation, then misled them about the killing.

From Los Angeles Times

It is also alleged that the suspect set fire to the apartments of his alleged victims to cover up the killings on five different occasions.

From BBC

Man who mowed down students with his car, killing teen outside Westlake High, pleads guilty to murder rampage.

From Los Angeles Times

Domoic acid outbreak killing and sickening marine mammals and birds along Southern California coast.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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