slaughter
Translation
to kill animals for meat, to kill people cruelly, to defeat easily, a massacre
Examples
The animals are slaughtered for their meat.
The animals are slaughtered for their meat.
Thousands of people were slaughtered in the war.
Thousands of people were slaughtered in the war.
Our team was slaughtered in the final match.
Our team was slaughtered in the final match.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to kill an animal for meat. The lambs are slaughtered in spring.
((sb.)) to kill a lot of people in a cruel way. Innocent civilians were slaughtered.
((sb.)) to defeat (sb.) completely in a game or competition. We were slaughtered 10-0.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Old Norse 'slátr' (butcher's meat). Related to 'slay'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'slay' + 'laughter' - a cruel image of laughing while slaying, which captures the brutality of the word.