slapdash

adjective

slap·​dash ˈslap-ˌdash 

-ˈdash

: haphazard, slipshod

Did you know?

An early recorded use of slapdash comes from 17th-century British poet and dramatist John Dryden, who used it as an adverb in his play The Kind Keeper. "Down I put the notes slap-dash," he wrote. The Oxford English Dictionary defines this sense, in part, as "with, or as with, a slap and a dash," perhaps suggesting the notion of an action (such as painting) performed with quick, imprecise movements. The adjective slapdash is familiar today describing something done in a hasty, careless, or haphazard manner.

Synonyms of slapdash

• random
• scattered
• arbitrary
• haphazard
• erratic

Examples of slapdash in a Sentence

the police department's investigation of the charges against the mayor was slapdash and not very thorough

Recent Examples on the Web

On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash. — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

The current plan for infrastructure improvements and slapdash redecorating at the cost of $250 million. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

That’s not even mentioning the House of Mouse’s attempts at sequels, which often have the cheap, slapdash feel of a Disney VHS release despite being major blockbusters. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder) for resurrection. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1792, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slapdash

• backlash
• chumash
• eyelash
• moustache
• mustache
• noncash
• potash
• rehash
• whiplash
• ash
• bash
• brash

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

slapdash

adjective

slap·​dash ˈslap-ˌdash 

-ˈdash

: haphazard, slipshod