# killing

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈkɪl.ɪŋ/ · frequency rank #1,397

## Definitions
1. That literally deprives of life; lethal, deadly, fatal.
2. Devastatingly attractive.
3. That makes one ‘die’ with laughter; very funny.

## Etymology
From Middle English kyllyng; equivalent to kill + -ing.

## Easily confused with
- **kissing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/killing-vs-kissing)
- **Kipling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/killing-vs-kipling)
- **kindling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/killing-vs-kindling)
- **kidding** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/kidding-vs-killing)
- **kicking** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/kicking-vs-killing)
- **Killian** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/killian-vs-killing)

## Common misspellings (9)
`iklling`, `kililng`, `kiling`, `killign`, `killingg`, `killinng`, `killnig`, `kkilling`, `kliling`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/killing