slouch

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an awkward fellow : lout
b
: one that is unimpressive
especially : a lazy or incompetent person
used in negative constructions
was no slouch at cooking
2
: a gait or posture characterized by an ungainly stooping of the head and shoulders or excessive relaxation of body muscles

slouch

2 of 2

verb

slouched; slouching; slouches

intransitive verb

1
: to walk, stand, or sit with a slouch : assume a slouch
2
: droop
3
: to go or move slowly or reluctantly

transitive verb

: to cause to droop
slouched his shoulders
sloucher noun

Examples of slouch in a Sentence

Noun She walks with a slouch. is no slouch when it comes to cooking Verb Sit up straight. Please don't slouch. She slouched into the room. The boy was slouching over his school books.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And Scratch — a turntablist who has worked with Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, LL Cool J and Q-Tip — is no slouch, either. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025 This was no slouch finding his groove against a struggling offense. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025
Verb
Anton slouches beside her, draped in an inverness cape, brandishing a cigarette and smirking beneath a rogue’s mustache. Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 Otherwise, they are destined to be remembered as useless and timid wimps as the U.S. was slouching toward a dictatorship. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slouch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1754, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slouch was in 1515

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slouch. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

slouch

1 of 2 noun
1
: an awkward, lazy, or unqualified person
2
: a manner of walking, sitting, or standing characterized by an awkward stooping of head and shoulders

slouch

2 of 2 verb
: to walk, sit, or stand with a slouch
sloucher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on slouch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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