What does assassin mean?
An assassin is a person who deliberately murders a prominent individual — typically a political leader, monarch, or other public figure — usually for political, ideological, or financial reasons rather than personal gain alone. The noun is most commonly used in phrases such as 'the president's assassin' or 'a hired assassin,' and it carries a weighty, serious connotation tied to history and statecraft. The related verb 'assassinate' and noun 'assassination' describe the act itself, a term applied to the killings of figures from Julius Caesar to modern heads of state. Historically, 'assassin' also referred to a member of the Nizari Ismaili sect of the medieval Middle East, whose members were reputed to carry out targeted killings; this older sense survives mainly in historical writing. Because it implies both premeditation and a significant target, the word is more specific than 'murderer' or 'killer' and is rarely applied to ordinary crime.
A person who murders a prominent figure, especially for political or ideological reasons.
"Police arrested the assassin within hours of the shooting."
Often used attributively in compounds such as 'hired assassin' or 'would-be assassin'.
A member of the medieval Nizari Ismaili sect known for targeted killings of political and religious leaders.
"Crusader accounts tell of the feared assassins operating from mountain strongholds."
Standard pluralization: add -s. Used when referring to multiple individuals, e.g., members of the medieval sect or multiple perpetrators.
"The chronicles name several assassins who carried out the sect's missions."
The word 'assassin' comes from an Arabic term meaning 'hashish-eaters' — a legend about a medieval sect of killers that stuck in English forever.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of assassin
The English word 'assassin' derives through French and Italian from the Arabic 'ḥashshāshīn,' literally 'hashish-eaters.' It entered European languages during the medieval Crusades as the name given to the Nizari Ismaili sect of Persia and Syria, whose members were famed for carrying out targeted killings of political and religious leaders. By the sixteenth century the term had broadened in English to mean anyone who murdered a prominent person for political ends. Related forms include the verb 'assassinate' and the noun 'assassination,' which became established in English in the early seventeenth century.
Related word forms
How assassin is actually used
The noun is neutral in register but carries grave, often historical connotations. It is reserved for killings of prominent figures motivated by politics, ideology, or contract; ordinary murder is not normally described as assassination.
Easily confused with assassin
An assailant is any person who attacks someone physically, whereas an assassin specifically murders a prominent person for political or ideological reasons.