slaying
UK: ˈsleɪɪŋ | US: ˈsleɪɪŋ
n. the act of killing someone violently or in a dramatic way
n. (informal) an outstanding performance or success, often stylish or impressive
v. present participle of "slay" (to kill violently or to impress greatly)
The word "slaying" originates from Old English "slēan," meaning "to strike or kill." Over time, it evolved into Middle English "sleen" and later "slay," retaining its core meaning of violent killing. In modern informal usage, "slaying" has expanded to describe metaphorical "killing" (e.g., excelling or dominating), likely influenced by theatrical or performative contexts where dramatic success is likened to a decisive victory. The suffix "-ing" forms the present participle or gerund, adapting the verb into a noun.
The knight was celebrated for slaying the dragon.
Her performance on stage was a total slaying—the audience loved it.
The documentary explores the slaying of innocent civilians during the war.
She’s slaying in that new outfit!
The detective solved the case of the mysterious slaying in the village.