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Also found in: English - Vietnamese

killer whale

/'kiləweil/
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Definition

Killer whale (noun): A killer whale is a large, predatory marine animal that is black and white in color. It has a big, tall fin on its back called a dorsal fin. Killer whales are often found in cold oceans and are known for being very smart and social animals.

Usage Instructions

You can use "killer whale" when talking about this specific type of whale or when discussing marine life, conservation, or ocean ecosystems.

Example Sentences
  1. Simple usage: "The killer whale is known for its intelligence and teamwork when hunting."
  2. In a conversation: "Have you ever seen a killer whale at an aquarium? They are amazing to watch!"
Advanced Usage

In more advanced discussions, you might talk about the ecological role of killer whales in their habitat or their behaviors in the wild, such as their hunting techniques or social structures.

Word Variants
  • Killer Whale: This is the standard term.
  • Orca: This is another name for a killer whale, which is derived from its scientific name, Orcinus orca.
Different Meanings

While "killer whale" primarily refers to the marine animal, in some contexts, it could be used metaphorically. For example, someone might refer to a very competitive athlete as a "killer whale" in their sport, meaning they are fierce and dominate in competition.

Synonyms
  • Orca: As mentioned, this is a common synonym.
  • Blackfish: This is another term sometimes used to refer to killer whales, especially in cultural contexts.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "killer whale." However, you might encounter phrases about "going to the deep end" or "in deep waters" when discussing challenging situations, which metaphorically relate to the ocean.

Summary

The term "killer whale" refers to a large, intelligent black-and-white whale known for its predatory skills. The alternate name "orca" is commonly used as well. You can use this term when talking about marine life or in discussions about animal behavior and ecology.

Noun
  1. predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas

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