slacker

noun

slack·​er ˈsla-kər How to pronounce slacker (audio)
1
: a person who shirks work or obligation
especially : one who evades military service in time of war
2
: a person and especially a young person who is perceived to be disaffected, apathetic, cynical, or lacking ambition
slacker adjective

Examples of slacker in a Sentence

The people I work with are a bunch of slackers. there will be no slackers tolerated in this group—anyone who doesn't do their share will get booted out
Recent Examples on the Web Pavement’s signature ‘90s slacker cynicism about the music industry came through most clearly on their biggest hit, shortly after Matador Records risked its indie cred to sign a partnership with major label Atlantic. Al Shipley, SPIN, 20 Feb. 2024 These guys turn their Upper Peninsula slacker blues into guitar-banger gold. Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2024 When a drunken hookup between the two results in an unexpected pregnancy, everyone from Ben's slacker friends to Alison's sister's family get involved as the couple decides to keep the baby and attempt to stay together. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023 After several years, however, López Nájera began to have differences with his boss, who thought him something of a slacker, officials said. Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024 Molina’s nonchalant performance with a noticeable hint of self-consciousness crystalizes why some think of him as an endearing fool down on his luck and others as an untrustworthy slacker. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 29 Jan. 2024 Still, the Honda Pilot, newly designed for 2023, is far from a slacker. James Raia, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2024 Culkin’s Benji has Roman Roy’s chaotic energy, wrapped in a sensitive slacker’s exterior. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2024 Ben is a 21st century variation on the Gen X slacker, the kind of guy who acts like anything that’s not on the Criterion Channel isn’t worth bothering with and anybody who actually cares about something is a sellout, a poser, or a hypocrite. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slacker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slacker was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near slacker

Cite this Entry

“Slacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slacker. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

slacker

noun
slack·​er ˈslak-ər How to pronounce slacker (audio)
: one who avoids work or a duty

More from Merriam-Webster on slacker

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