Cool MateKill him vs Murder
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Kill him
VulgarBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Murder
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)B1noun
Most formal: MurderMost common: Murder
| Kill him | Murder | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɪl hɪm//🇺🇸 //kɪl hɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɜːdə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɜːrdər/"]/ |
| Meaning | to cause someone's death | The act of killing someone intentionally. |
| Example | The hero vowed to kill him if he harmed anyone else. | The detective was called to solve a murder that had occurred in the quiet town. |
| Register | Vulgar | Formal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | kill him softly, kill him instantly, threaten to kill him | barbaric, brutal, grisly, carry out, commit, perpetrate, happen, occur, take place, victim, suspect, detective |
| Antonyms | Spare him, Save him, Rescue him | save, protect, preserve |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'kill you' — remember it's 'kill him' for a male subject., Using in casual conversation — this phrase is too strong for everyday language., Translating directly without considering context — context is key. | Confusing with 'manslaughter', which has different legal implications., Using it inappropriately as a joke or in casual conversation., Confusing 'murder' with 'kill', which can be both intentional and unintentional. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is highly aggressive and should only be used in a joking or dramatic context, not seriously. | Used mainly in legal contexts or serious discussions. Avoid in casual conversations due to its heavy implications. Not appropriate for light-hearted or humorous contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Kill him vs Murder
What's the difference between Kill him and Murder?
Kill him: to cause someone's death Murder: The act of killing someone intentionally.
Which is more formal: Kill him and Murder?
Murder is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Kill him and Murder?
Murder is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Kill him: The hero vowed to kill him if he harmed anyone else. Murder: The detective was called to solve a murder that had occurred in the quiet town.
Can I use Kill him and Murder interchangeably?
Not always. Kill him and Murder are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.