murder

murder — noun

1. the crime of ending someone's life on purpose and without legal permission

1.nounB1
Definition

the crime of ending someone's life on purpose and without legal permission

Example

Christopher was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

passive: found guilty of murder

The police are investigating a murder near the train station last night.

collocation: investigate a murder

Common collocations
  • commit murder
  • murder charge
  • murder trial
  • murder weapon
  • murder victim
  • murder case
  • murder investigation
Synonyms
  • homicide

    the broader legal term for any killing of one person by another, whether intentional or not

  • manslaughter

    a lesser charge than murder, involving killing without premeditation or intent

Grammar Patterns

murder of [someone]

commit murder

murder [noun modifier]

Usage Note

In law, murder is distinguished from manslaughter by the presence of intent or 'malice aforethought.' Frequently occurs in set phrases such as 'murder charge,' 'murder trial,' and 'murder weapon.'

Common Mistakes

He was charged with murder of his wife.
He was charged with the murder of his wife.
'murder' in this pattern needs a determiner when followed by 'of + someone.'
Killing someone by accident is murder.
Killing someone by accident is manslaughter, not murder.
'murder' requires intent; accidental killing is a different legal category.

2. the traditional term for several crows that are assembled in one location togeth

2.nounC1
Definition

the traditional term for several crows that are assembled in one location together

Example

Renata spotted a murder of crows in the old oak tree behind her house.

count noun: a murder of crows

A large murder of crows flew up from the field as the tractor approached.

Grammar Patterns

a murder of [crows]

Usage Note

This collective noun belongs to a set of traditional English terms for animal groups (e.g., 'a pride of lions,' 'a school of fish'). It is mostly used in nature writing, puzzles, or trivia rather than everyday conversation.

3. something that is extremely hard to deal with, dangerous, or unpleasant

3.nounB2
Definition

something that is extremely hard to deal with, dangerous, or unpleasant

Example

Getting all the paperwork done before the deadline was murder.

collocation: be murder (informal)

The hike up the mountain in the rain was absolute murder on Aylin's knees.

collocation: be murder on [body part]

Common collocations
  • absolute murder
  • pure murder
  • murder on
Synonyms
  • hell

    stronger and more vulgar; 'it was absolute hell'

  • nightmare

    similar meaning but used with an article; 'it was a nightmare'

Antonyms
  • breeze

    informal term for something very easy

Grammar Patterns

be murder

be murder on [body part]

Usage Note

Only used predicatively — you cannot say 'a murder task' or 'the murder homework.' Always appears after a linking verb like 'be' or 'feel.' Typically followed by 'on' when specifying what is affected.

Common Mistakes

The exam was a murder.
The exam was murder.
no article needed in this informal sense.
Idioms

get away with murder

idiom

to do whatever you want without being stopped or punished, especially when you should have consequences

That child gets away with murder because his parents never set any rules or limits.

The new manager is so relaxed that some employees feel they can get away with murder.

scream (or shout) blue murder

idiom

to shout very loudly and for a long time in order to protest about something or show that you are very angry

When the landlord raised the rent by thirty percent, the tenants screamed blue murder.

The fans shouted blue murder when the referee gave the home team a red card.

scream blue murder

idiom

To shout very loudly and for a long time, often to complain or show strong disagreement.

When the waiter spilled soup on her dress, she screamed blue murder.

Did the neighbors scream blue murder when you played music at midnight?

murder — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all these words involve ending a life, they differ in legal status, tone, and context. 'Murder' (noun/1) is a legal term for intentional, unlawful killing — it always implies criminal intent. 'Kill' is the broadest, neutral verb covering any cause of death, whether accidental, legal (war, self-defence), or criminal. 'Assassinate' is a specific type of murder targeting a prominent figure for political or ideological reasons, such as a head of state or activist. 'Slay' is more literary or archaic, suggesting dramatic, violent killing in battle or folklore — 'the knight slew the dragon.' 'Homicide' is the formal legal umbrella term for any killing of one person by another, covering both murder (intentional) and manslaughter (unintentional). In news reporting: 'Police are investigating a homicide' (neutral/early stage) vs. 'He was charged with murder' (specific charge).

kill ↗assassinateslayhomicide

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • first-degree murder
  • second-degree murder
  • murder in the first degree
  • guilty of murder
  • charge of murder

Prepositions

Etymology

Indo-EuropeanGermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'murder' traces back through Middle English 'murdre' to Old English 'morþor' (meaning 'secret or unlawful killing'), which shares a root with the Old French 'murdre' (> 'meurtre') and the Latin 'murdrum' (a term used in medieval legal Latin for the secret killing of a Norman by an Anglo-Saxon). The underlying Indo-European root *mer- means 'to die.' The modern legal sense has been stable since the 14th century.