slay

slaying; slays; slayed

Slay means to kill in a violent way. It has a mythic quality. You might slay the red knight. You might slay the dragon. You might slay the demon. But you probably wouldn't slay an annoying mosquito.

Slay is an old word associated with knights and dragons. Like many old words it has some funky forms. When you killed someone or something in the past you say slew, as in "St. George slew the dragon." When you've already done it, you say you have slain.

Definitions of slay
  1. verb
    kill intentionally and with premeditation
    synonyms: bump off, dispatch, hit, murder, off, polish off, remove
    see moresee less
    types:
    burke
    murder without leaving a trace on the body
    execute
    murder in a planned fashion
    type of:
    kill
    cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘slay'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing slay

Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1

This list covers "Ithaka," "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh," and The Odyssey.

Vocabulary from Readings, Unit 5

This list covers "The Walrus and the Carpenter," "Jabberwocky," "Steps," and "The Sidewalk Racer, or On the Skateboard."

Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1

This list covers "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" and the Odyssey.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS
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