Definition

A person who is hired to kill someone, often for money or as part of organized crime.

Example

The police arrested a hitman who was planning to carry out a contract killing.

Conversation

Did you hear about that movie where the main character is a hitman?

Yeah, I heard it's really intense and full of action.

I love those kinds of films, especially when they show the life of a hitman in a unique way.

Same here! It’s fascinating to see their story unfold.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hitman → The word is formed from "hit" (originating from Old English "hyttan", meaning to strike or to come into contact) and "man" (from Old English "mann", meaning a human being). A hitman is a person who strikes or kills another person, typically for hire.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'strikes' ('hit') another person, and 'man' just refers to a person. This helps you remember that a hitman is someone who is hired to strike down another.

Visually Confused Words