killer

/ˈkɪlə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɪlər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈki-lər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkɪl.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɪl.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

killer — 名詞

  • killersingular
  • killersplural

1. a person who takes another person's life, whether on purpose, by accident, or as

1.名詞B1
釋義

殺人犯

殺害他人的人

a person who takes another person's life, whether on purpose, by accident, or as part of a crime

例句

The police arrested the **killer** outside his apartment building before dawn.

警方在天亮前於兇手住的公寓大樓外將他逮捕。

article + killer as a known referent

Hyun's family hoped the **killer** would be found and brought to court.

Hyun 的家人期盼早日找到兇手，將他送上法庭。

同義詞
  • murderer

    specifically someone who kills on purpose and illegally; narrower than killer

  • assassin

    someone who kills for political reasons or payment; implies planning

  • slayer

    literary or dramatic; common in fantasy and mythology contexts

反義詞
  • victim

    the person who is killed

文法句型

killer + of + person

用法筆記

Often modified by an adjective that specifies motive or method, such as serial killer, contract killer, or cold-blooded killer.

常見錯誤

❌The murderer was found not guilty because he acted in self-defense.
✅The killer was found not guilty because he acted in self-defense.
💡murderer always implies unlawful intent; killer is neutral about legal guilt.

2. a disease or health condition that causes people to die, especially when many pe

2.名詞B1
釋義

致命疾病

會導致死亡的疾病或健康問題

a disease or health condition that causes people to die, especially when many people are affected

例句

Heart disease is still the number one **killer** of women in the United States.

心臟病仍然是美國女性的頭號致命疾病。

collocation: number one killer / biggest killer

Doctors called the virus a silent **killer** because victims showed no signs at first.

醫師稱這種病毒為沉默殺手，因為患者初期完全沒有症狀。

collocation: silent killer (disease without early symptoms)

同義詞
  • epidemic

    focuses on rapid spread across a population, not necessarily the deadliness

  • plague

    historical and dramatic; a deadly disease that spreads very fast

文法句型

the + (number one / biggest) + killer + of + people / group

用法筆記

Commonly modified by number one, biggest, or silent to describe how widespread or undetectable the disease is.

3. a chemical, product, or substance made to destroy unwanted plants, insects, or o

3.名詞B2
釋義

除滅劑

消滅害蟲或雜草的藥劑

a chemical, product, or substance made to destroy unwanted plants, insects, or other harmful organisms

例句

Tanvi sprayed weed **killer** along the fence to stop the ivy from spreading.

Tanvi 沿著籬笆噴灑除草劑，防止長春藤蔓延。

compound noun: weed killer / pest killer

This ant **killer** comes in powder form and works best near doorways.

這種螞蟻藥是粉末狀的，灑在門框附近效果最好。

同義詞
  • pesticide

    more technical; covers all substances that kill pests, including insects and fungi

  • herbicide

    specifically for killing unwanted plants, not insects or bacteria

文法句型

[noun] + killer

killer + for + [target]

用法筆記

Usually appears as part of a compound noun (weed killer, pest killer, bug killer) rather than as a standalone word.

4. anything that completely ruins a relationship, activity, plan, or positive exper

4.名詞B2
釋義

終結者

破壞關係或活動的事物

anything that completely ruins a relationship, activity, plan, or positive experience

例句

Money problems can be a real **killer** in a marriage if left unspoken.

金錢問題如果避而不談，可能成為婚姻的一大終結者。

collocation: real killer / relationship killer

A sudden power cut was a **killer** for the outdoor concert that night.

突如其來的停電成了那晚戶外演唱會的致命打擊。

同義詞
  • deal-breaker

    specifically in negotiations or relationships; something that makes an agreement impossible

文法句型

a / the + [adjective] + killer + of + [abstract noun]

用法筆記

Almost always used with a preceding modifier such as real, biggest, absolute, or a noun like relationship, deal, or mood.

5. a task, problem, or situation that demands an exhausting amount of effort to get

5.名詞B2
釋義

難題

極其困難的任務或挑戰

a task, problem, or situation that demands an exhausting amount of effort to get through or solve

例句

The final exam was a real **killer** — most students ran out of time.

期末考真是要命——大多數學生都寫不完。

collocation: a real killer (informal for something very hard)

That mountain trail is a **killer** for beginners because of its steep climb.

對初學者來說，那條登山步道因為坡度太陡而非常吃力。

同義詞
  • nightmare

    stronger emotional tone; suggests stress and frustration more than pure difficulty

  • ordeal

    more formal; a long and painful experience

反義詞
  • breeze

    something very easy to do — opposite in difficulty

  • cakewalk

    informal; something that requires almost no effort

文法句型

a real / absolute killer

用法筆記

Highly informal; common in spoken English. Avoid in formal writing — use challenge, ordeal, or demanding task instead.

常見錯誤

❌The mathematics exam was a killer difficulty.
✅The mathematics exam was a killer.
💡killer already means 'very difficult thing'; do not add a second difficulty noun.

6. an exceptionally impressive or enjoyable person, story, show, or creative work t

6.名詞C1
釋義

精彩之作

極精彩、令人印象深刻的作品或表演

an exceptionally impressive or enjoyable person, story, show, or creative work that makes a strong impact on its audience

例句

Camila's new song is an absolute **killer** — I have listened to it ten times already.

Camila 的新歌超殺——我已經聽了十遍了。

collocation: absolute killer (extreme compliment)

That comedian's show was a **killer** from the first joke to the last encore.

那位喜劇演員的表演從第一個笑話到最後的安可曲都非常精彩。

同義詞
  • hit

    popular and successful, but less intense than killer

  • showstopper

    a performance so good it gets interrupted by applause

反義詞
  • flop

    a performance or product that fails completely

文法句型

a(n) + [intensifier] + killer

用法筆記

Always positive and enthusiastic. Less common than the 'difficult' sense; context (entertainment, sports, conversation) makes the meaning clear.

killer — 形容詞