murderer
gb/mˈɚdɚɚ/ us/mˈɚdɚɚ/
B1
English
~ 5400
gyilkos, tönkretevő
NOUN
B1
1
gyilkos
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a [adjective] murderer
The jury found the accused man guilty and declared him a murderer.
Az esküdtszék bűnösnek találta a vádlottat, és kimondta róla, hogy gyilkos.
Police believe the murderer knew the victim personally.
A rendőrség úgy véli, hogy a gyilkos személyesen ismerte az áldozatot.
The documentary followed the hunt for a notorious serial murderer.
After years in prison, the convicted murderer showed no sign of remorse.
The murderer left the country the day after the crime.
Learner examples
The police caught the murderer last night.
A rendőrség tegnap este elfogta a gyilkost.
Everyone was afraid because the murderer was still free.
Mindenki félt, mert a gyilkos még szabadlábon volt.
The judge sent the murderer to prison for life.
They say the murderer planned the crime for many weeks.
In the movie, the murderer is the man’s best friend.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "murder" and "murderer". "Murder" is the act (e.g. "The murder happened at night"), while "murderer" is the person (e.g. "They arrested the murderer"). Another confusion is with "killer", which can be used more broadly for any person or thing that kills (e.g. "shark attack killer", "silent killer" for a disease), while "murderer" almost always refers to a person who commits the crime of murder.
Meaning
person who commits murder
Collocations
cold-blooded murderer
|convicted murderer
|serial murderer
|mass murderer
|suspected murderer
Synonyms
killer (Broader; can mean any person or thing that kills, not always illegal or intentional.)
|
homicide offender (More technical and legal; mainly used in formal or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
victim (Refers to the person who is harmed or killed, the opposite role of the murderer.)
Themes
crime
|law
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who illegally and on purpose kills another person.
A person who unlawfully and intentionally kills another human being.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
2
tönkretevő
B2
gyilkos
B1
Usage pattern:
a murderer of [something abstract]
Critics called the director a murderer of the original novel.
A kritikusok az eredeti regény gyilkosának nevezték a rendezőt.
He jokes that he is a murderer of the French language whenever he tries to speak it.
Azzal viccelődik, hogy valahányszor megpróbál franciául beszélni, valóságos gyilkosa a francia nyelvnek.
Many fans saw the new rules as a murderer of the sport’s old spirit.
Learner examples
She said the new manager is a murderer of creativity in the office.
Azt mondta, hogy az új vezető az irodai kreativitás gyilkosa.
He laughed and called himself a murderer of good music when he sings.
Nevetve a jó zene gyilkosának nevezte magát, amikor énekel.
Some people think fast food is a murderer of healthy eating.
The fans called the change a murderer of their team’s history.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this figurative use is neutral, but it is very strong and emotional. It should only be used when you want to sound dramatic or humorous, not in calm, objective descriptions.
Meaning
person or thing that ruins something
Collocations
a murderer of the English language
|a murderer of dreams
|a murderer of tradition
Synonyms
destroyer (Very close in meaning but less emotionally shocking; does not carry the strong killing image of "murderer".)
Antonyms
protector (Someone who keeps something safe, the opposite of a person who is said to "murder" it.)
Themes
emotions
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
A very strong way to talk about a person or thing that badly hurts or ruins something, not by really killing.
A person or thing described as a murderer because they severely damage, spoil, or destroy something, not by actually killing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
murderer
IPA
GB/mˈɚdɚɚ/
US/mˈɚdɚɚ/
Syllables & stress
mur - der - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: murderer
- Plural: murderers
Word family
Expressions
cold-blooded murderer
1/kˈoʊld blˈʌdɪd mˈɚdɚɚ/
fixed phrase
murderer who kills without emotion
A murderer who kills in a calm way without showing feelings like fear or guilt.
Examples
- The prosecutor described the defendant as a cold-blooded murderer.
- They believed the crime was planned by a cold-blooded murderer, not done in anger.
convicted murderer
1/kənvˈɪktɪd mˈɚdɚɚ/
fixed phrase
murderer found guilty in court
A person whom a court has officially said is guilty of murder.
Examples
- The convicted murderer will spend the rest of his life in prison.
- As a convicted murderer, she is not allowed to own a weapon.
mass murderer
1/mˈæs mˈɚdɚɚ/
fixed phrase
person who murders many people
A person who kills many people in one event or in a small number of connected events.
Examples
- The film tells the story of a notorious mass murderer.
- Security was increased after the arrest of a suspected mass murderer.
serial murderer
1/sˈɪɹiəl mˈɚdɚɚ/
fixed phrase
person who kills repeatedly over time
A person who kills several people in different events over a period of time.
Examples
- Detectives began to suspect they were dealing with a serial murderer.
- The series explores the psychology of a serial murderer.
suspected murderer
1/səspˈɛktɪd mˈɚdɚɚ/
fixed phrase
person thought to be a murderer
A person who people, especially police, think may be a murderer, but it is not proved yet.
Examples
- Police released a photo of the suspected murderer.
- The suspected murderer is being questioned at the station.