lady-killer
Low to MediumInformal, somewhat dated
Definition
Meaning
A man who is or believes himself to be irresistibly attractive to women.
Can also refer to a man whose charm or behavior is effective at seducing women, often with a slightly old-fashioned, humorous, or sometimes critical connotation. Historically used for men who break women's hearts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term carries a humorous or ironic overtone and is often used to describe a man's self-perception or reputation rather than an objective fact. It is less about causing literal harm and more about figurative 'conquest.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the alternative form 'ladies' man' is perhaps more common in both. The hyphenated 'lady-killer' is the standard spelling.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can have a slightly old-fashioned, theatrical, or playful feel. It is not a formal or serious term.
Frequency
More frequent in mid-20th century popular culture. Now used with a sense of retro or light-hearted mockery.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He is a (real) lady-killer.He fancies himself a lady-killer.She warned her friends about the office lady-killer.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He thinks he's God's gift to women.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; if so, jokingly to describe a charismatic but possibly untrustworthy colleague.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation, often humorously or teasingly.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He had a certain lady-killer smile.
American English
- He flashed his lady-killer grin.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He thinks he is a lady-killer.
- My uncle was considered a real lady-killer in his youth.
- With his new suit and confident manner, he was trying hard to cultivate a lady-killer image.
- The novel's protagonist is a cynical lady-killer whose charm masks a profound emptiness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture an old-fashioned movie star with a pencil moustache, winking at ladies and causing them to swoon 'to death' from his charm.
Conceptual Metaphor
ROMANCE IS WAR / SEDUCTION IS KILLING (The man is the 'killer' and the women are his 'victims' of charm.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "дамоубийца." The correct conceptual equivalent is "бабник," "ловелас," or "сердцеед."
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a man who is literally violent toward women.
- Spelling as one word 'ladykiller' (less standard).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'lady-killer' in modern use?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. It can be a light-hearted compliment about someone's charm, but often it's used teasingly or ironically to suggest someone is overconfident in their appeal.
A 'ladies' man' is more neutral, simply describing a man who enjoys female company. A 'lady-killer' is stronger, implying a man whose charm is actively seductive or 'deadly' to women's affections.
No, the term is inherently masculine. The equivalent for a woman would be 'man-eater,' 'femme fatale,' or 'heartbreaker.'
It can be seen as mildly sexist or objectifying, as it reduces romantic interaction to a conquest. It is best used in informal, familiar settings where the tone is clearly humorous, not in formal or sensitive contexts.