WordGarden.iohitman
Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈhɪtˌmæn/
Meanings
Noun
a hired killer, especially one paid to murder a specific person
Beyond the definition
The word "hitman" usually brings to mind crime stories and action movies: a person hired to kill someone for money. But outside fiction, the meaning is simple and grim. It does not mean just any murderer. It means someone who is paid to murder a specific person. The term is strongly tied to crime and violence, and it often appears in stories about gangs, the mafia, or other organized crime groups. You may also see it in news reports, true-crime shows, and detective novels. Sometimes people use it in a joking or exaggerated way for someone who is very ruthless or effective, but that use is much less common.
A "hitman" is a person who is hired to kill someone in exchange for money. It is another way to say "contract killer," and it refers to murder arranged as a paid job rather than a sudden act of anger or personal conflict.
The word is used almost entirely in criminal contexts. It often appears in stories about organized crime, gang activity, mafia groups, drug cartels, or secret plots where one person pays another person to murder a target. Because of this, the term suggests planning, intent, and payment. It does not just describe a violent person; it describes someone carrying out a killing for hire.
You will often see the word in crime novels, films, TV dramas, and true-crime reporting. In news language, it may appear in reports about murder cases, police investigations, or court trials. In fiction, the word can describe a quiet professional, a brutal criminal, or someone trapped in a violent world. The exact image changes with the story, but the core meaning stays the same: a paid killer hired to murder a specific person.
Sometimes people use the word in an exaggerated or playful way for someone who is extremely effective, aggressive, or merciless in competition. Even so, that use is informal and secondary. The main meaning remains serious, illegal, and strongly connected to murder for payment.
Examples
- 1
Crime context
They were accused of hiring a hitman to kill the businessman.
- 2
Film character
The movie follows a retired hitman who wants to leave that life behind.
- 3
Political attack
The party sent its political hitman onto TV to attack the mayor.
- Phrasepolitical hitman
someone whose job is to damage another person's reputation or career
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hitmannoun