What is kill? Pronunciation and usage in English

kill means . Learn how to pronounce and use kill through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of kill

killverb

/kɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of kill

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "kill" in English. It's one of those words that trips people up because of the "i" sound.

Here's the breakdown:

  • The "i" sound: This is the trickiest part. It's not like the "i" in "kite" or "bike." Instead, it's pronounced like the "i" in "pit" or "fit." It’s a short, open ‘i’ sound.

  • The "l" sound: The "l" is pronounced as a clear "l" sound, like in "light."

Putting it together:

The full pronunciation is "kihl" (rhymes with "hail").

Here's a helpful way to think about it:

Imagine you're quickly saying "kit" and then adding a crisp "l" at the end.

Resources for Hearing it:

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  • Repeat the pronunciation to you?
  • Give you some example sentences with "kill" in them?

Usage and examples with the word kill in English

Let's break down how to use the word "kill" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and nuances. Here's a comprehensive guide, categorized for clarity:

1. Literal Meaning: To Cause Death

  • Most Basic: This is the core meaning. "Kill" means to cause the death of a living thing.
    • Example: "The lion killed the antelope."
    • Example: "He killed a mosquito with the swatter."

2. Figurative Meanings (Common Uses)

This is where "kill" gets really interesting. It's often used metaphorically to describe something that stops something else from continuing.

  • To End (a process, trend, excitement, etc.): This is a very frequent usage.

    • Example: "The rainy weather killed our picnic plans." (Ruined them)
    • Example: "The new competition killed his business." (Made it fail)
    • Example: "The silence killed the party." (Ruined the fun)
    • Example: "The constant criticism killed her enthusiasm." (Dampened it)

  • To Eliminate (a problem, task, or negative feeling):

    • Example: "He killed the bug in the software." (Fixed the error)
    • Example: "She killed her anxieties by meditating." (Overcame them)
    • Example: "The lawyer killed the case with a strong defense." (Dismissed it)

  • To Destroy (something quickly):

    • Example: "The fire killed the old barn." (Destroyed it quickly)

  • To Stop (an activity or performance):

    • Example: "The referee killed the game with a controversial call." (Ended it prematurely)

3. Informal/Slang Meanings

  • To Reject (someone romantically): (Often considered impolite)

    • Example: "He killed her with his indifference." (Rejected her coldly)

  • To Embarrass (someone severely):

    • Example: "He killed her with his joke." (Made her incredibly embarrassed)

  • To Annoy or Frustrate (someone): (More mild than 'reject')

    • Example: “He killed me with his stories." (Annoyed me a lot)

4. Phrasal Verbs with "Kill"

"Kill" is frequently used in phrasal verbs, which change its meaning:

  • Kill off: To eliminate completely (often used in fiction) - "The author killed off several characters in the first chapter."
  • Kill for: To do something terrible in order to get something you want. – “He killed for a chance at fame.” (Very serious and rare)
  • Kill someone with kindness: To be so nice that it's overwhelming or uncomfortable. – “She killed me with kindness.”

5. Important Considerations & Tone

  • Intensity: “Kill” is a strong word. It implies a significant impact. Consider whether a milder word (like “ruin,” “destroy,” “end,” or “worsen”) would be more appropriate.

  • Context: The context is crucial for understanding the intended meaning. Figurative uses require careful consideration of the situation.

  • Formality: “Kill” is generally considered informal. In formal writing, you'd usually opt for more precise vocabulary.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about (e.g., writing a story, casual conversation, academic essay)?
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're trying to use "kill" in?

Synonyms for the word kill

Idioms of the word kill

curiosity killed the cat
(saying)used to tell somebody not to ask questions or try to find out about things that do not involve them
    dressed to kill
    (informal)wearing the kind of clothes that will make people notice and admire you
      have time on your hands | have time to kill
      (informal)to have nothing to do or not be busy
        if looks could kill…
        used to describe the very angry or unpleasant way somebody is/was looking at you
        • If looks could kill, she thought, seeing the expression that came over his face when he saw her, she’d be dead on the pavement.
        • I don’t know what I’ve done to upset him, but if looks could kill…
        kill the goose that lays the golden egg/eggs
        (saying)to destroy something that would make you rich, successful, etc.
          kill it
          (informal)to do something really well
          • She always kills it on stage.
          • The team has been killing it on the pitch this season!
          kill or cure
          (British English)used to say that what you are going to do will either be very successful or fail completely
            kill time | kill an hour, a couple of hours, etc.
            to spend time doing something that is not important while you are waiting for something else to happen
            • We killed time playing cards.
            kill two birds with one stone
            to achieve two things at the same time with one action
              kill somebody/something with kindness
              to be so kind to somebody/something that you in fact harm them
                kill yourself laughing
                (British English)to laugh a lot
                • He was killing himself laughing.

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