killingly
C2Informal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
In a manner that is very funny or causes extreme amusement.
To an excessive, intense, or overwhelming degree (usually in a positive or humorous context).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Killingly" intensifies the adjective it modifies (e.g., "killingly funny"). It suggests something is so amusing it is metaphorically 'fatal' or overwhelming. Its use outside of a humorous context (e.g., 'killingly sad') is archaic or highly poetic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English, though still rare. American English speakers readily understand it but are more likely to use alternatives like 'hilariously' or 'uproariously'.
Connotations
In both variants, it carries a slightly dated, theatrical, or literary flavour. It can sound quaint or deliberately emphatic.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Appears more often in written narrative (e.g., novels, reviews) than in speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
modifies an adjective (killingly funny)modifies a verb (killingly amusing)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be killingly funny”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Extremely rare; would only appear in literary or cultural criticism.
Everyday
Rare; might be used for deliberate emphasis or humour.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The comedian's impression of the prime minister was killingly accurate.
- She found the whole situation killingly embarrassing.
American English
- His deadpan delivery was killingly funny.
- The parody was killingly on point.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The play had some killingly funny moments.
- He told a killingly amusing story.
- Her satire was killingly sharp, leaving the audience in stitches.
- The juxtaposition of his solemn face and the absurd lyrics was killingly droll.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a joke so funny it 'kills' you with laughter → killingly funny.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS A FORCE (laughter as a lethal force).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'убийственно'. While it can be used similarly, it's a heavy cognate and sounds unnatural in most contexts. Prefer 'до смешного', 'уморительно'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'in a murderous way' (that would be 'killingly', without the -ly? Not standard).
- Overusing it; it's a marked, emphatic word.
Practice
Quiz
"Killingly" is most appropriately used to modify which type of word?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. That would be the adjective 'killing' (e.g., 'a killing blow'). 'Killingly' almost exclusively means 'extremely funny' or 'to an overwhelming degree'.
No, it is a low-frequency, C2-level word. It is used for special emphasis or in literary contexts.
"Hilariously" is the most straightforward and common synonym in modern usage.
It is generally too informal and stylistically marked for most formal writing (e.g., reports, academic papers). It fits better in creative writing, journalism, or reviews.