WordGarden.iomurderer
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɜːdərə/
US
- /ˈmɜrdərər/
Meanings
Noun
a person who intentionally and unlawfully kills someone
Beyond the definition
A murderer is someone who unlawfully and intentionally kills another person. It is a very serious word, tied to a terrible act. While "killer" can also refer to an accidental death or a death in war, "murderer" usually means a person who meant to kill, or whose act is treated as murder by the law. The word often appears in legal settings, where a court may decide whether someone is a murderer. You might read about murderers in crime novels, historical accounts, or news reports about violent events.
Think of Shakespeare's Hamlet, grappling with the knowledge that his uncle is a murderer, driven by ambition and deceit. Or consider the chilling stories of infamous murderers throughout history—their actions forever etched into our collective memory. The word isn't used lightly; it signifies a profound violation of trust and humanity.
The term "murderer" refers to a person who has unlawfully killed another human being in a way that counts as murder. In general use, it suggests intent to kill, though the exact legal meaning can vary by place. It is more specific than "killer," which can also describe someone who causes a death by accident, in war, or in some other situation that is not legally murder.
The word carries strong moral and legal weight. In law, calling someone a murderer usually depends on proving both the act itself and the person's state of mind, such as intent or another level of criminal responsibility. This often involves investigations, forensic evidence, and courtroom arguments.
Historically and in literature, murderers are frequently portrayed as villains, driven by greed, revenge, jealousy, or madness. Think of Lady Macbeth urging her husband to commit murder to seize power, or Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment wrestling with the psychological consequences of his act. However, stories can also explore the circumstances that lead someone down a path toward murder, examining societal factors, trauma, or mental illness.
The term is rarely used casually. It is most safely used for people who have been convicted of murder, since calling someone a murderer can be a serious accusation. The word points to an act that deeply violates human life and carries severe consequences under the law. Its weight reflects the gravity of the act itself.
Examples
- 1
Police search
The police are still looking for the murderer.
- 2
Identification
The murderer was caught when a neighbor recognized his car.
- 3
Family disbelief
She refused to believe that her brother could be a murderer.
- 4
Legal reporting
The newspaper called him an alleged murderer, because the trial had not begun.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Conviction
A convicted murderer escaped from prison last night.
- 6
Public danger
People were frightened because there was a murderer on the loose.
- Phraseon the loose
free and not yet caught
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- convicted murderer
- accused murderer
- catch a murderer
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- murderernoun
Forms
- murdererspluralnoun