What is the difference in British English of the words usage for killer, murderer, and slayer?
I found these definitions in the Free Dictionary:
killer – a person or thing that kills.
murderer – one who commits murder.
slayer – one who murders another.
Should I use more specific word slayer instead of killer when I'm trying to explain the war units? Should I use for instance murderer instead killer in the victim illegal shot death explanation? Is it right that in talking about animals I must use only killer?
Best Answer
To answer question 1, no. Use "killer". Slayer sounds very literary and would only be used in a figurative sense in a novel, for example.
To answer question 2, the question is not grammatical, but you should use "murderer" when the killer planned to kill someone and it was illegal.
To answer question 3, in general, yes. Use "killer" when referring to the killing of animals. Only use "murderer" if you want to show an emotional connection (for example, if you care a lot about animals and the person planned to kill the animals in an illegal way).