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
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.
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025 The cult hit comedy franchise Super Troopers revolves around the shenanigans of a group of Vermont state troopers who are slacker pranksters first and foremost. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025 Though the two actors have a kind of slacker ease in the nonsensical volleys, this lower temperature approach too often misses the work’s humor, horror and emotional resonance. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025 Written by Sebastian Black, the script sees a drug dealer and his two slacker buddies hired to transport a troubled teen across the country. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slacker

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slacker was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slacker. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!