spree killer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “spree killer” mean?
A person who commits multiple murders in a short period of time, often in multiple locations, with no cooling-off period between the killings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who commits multiple murders in a short period of time, often in multiple locations, with no cooling-off period between the killings.
A term used in criminology and law enforcement to classify a perpetrator whose murders occur during a single, continuous event, driven by a single, transient motive, as distinct from a serial killer (who has cooling-off periods) or a mass murderer (who kills many in one location).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in both forensic and media contexts.
Connotations
Carries strong negative, clinical, and sensationalist connotations in both varieties. It is associated with shocking news headlines and crime analysis.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday language, but appears with moderate frequency in crime journalism and academic criminology in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “spree killer” in a Sentence
The [spree killer] [verb: went on a rampage/terrorised the city].Authorities are searching for a [spree killer].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spree killer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The perpetrator went on a spree killing across the county.
American English
- The suspect is accused of spree killing in three states.
adverb
British English
- Not standardly used.
American English
- Not standardly used.
adjective
British English
- The spree-killer phenomenon was analysed in the report.
American English
- Police set up a spree-killer task force.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in criminology, psychology, and sociology papers to classify a subtype of multiple homicide.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation; primarily encountered in news reports about extreme violence.
Technical
A formal classification in law enforcement and forensic psychology, with specific criteria distinguishing it from serial and mass murder.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spree killer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spree killer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spree killer”
- Confusing 'spree killer' with 'serial killer'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He spree-killed').
- Capitalising it as a proper noun when not starting a sentence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A mass murderer kills many people in one location and one event. A spree killer kills in multiple locations during a single, continuous period.
No, it is a compound noun. The related verb phrase is 'to go on a killing spree'.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialist term used primarily in journalism and criminology.
There is no direct antonym, as it is a specific classification. Broader opposites would be terms like 'law-abiding citizen' or 'protector'.
A person who commits multiple murders in a short period of time, often in multiple locations, with no cooling-off period between the killings.
Spree killer is usually technical / journalistic in register.
Spree killer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspriː ˌkɪlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspri ˌkɪlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He] went on a killing spree.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'shopping spree' – a short, intense burst of activity. A 'spree killer' engages in a short, intense burst of killing.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A CONSUMER ACTIVITY (cf. killing spree, crime spree).
Practice
Quiz
What primarily distinguishes a spree killer from a serial killer?