kill off

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To eliminate, to make extinct.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

We killed off the Dodo by over-hunting.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Of writers or producers, to permanently take a character out of a television series or other work by purposefully and deliberately having them killed within the plot.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To put an end to.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “kill off” mean?

To eliminate, to make extinct.

Is “kill off” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.