1

slash

verb \ ˈslash \

Examples: slash in a Sentence

Definition of slash

slashed; slashing; slashes

intransitive verb

: to lash out, cut, or thrash about with or as if with an edged blade

transitive verb

1 : to cut with or as if with rough sweeping strokes

2 : cane, lash

3 : to cut slits in (something, such as a garment) so as to reveal a color beneath

4 : to criticize cuttingly

5 : to reduce sharply : cut

See slash defined for English-language learners

See slash defined for kids

Examples of slash in a Sentence

Someone slashed his car's tires.
He threatened to slash the man's throat.
She slashed a path through the underbrush.
They slashed their way through the jungle.
The company has slashed prices to increase sales.
Funding for the program was slashed.

Origin and Etymology of slash

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

slash Synonyms

Synonyms

birch, cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, scourge, switch, thrash, whale, whip;

Related Words

knout, quirt, strap;

flick, touch up;

blackjack, cane, club, cudgel, fustigate;

bang, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clout, crack, cuff, hit, knock, lam, paste, punch, slap, slug, smack, smite, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thwack, wallop, whack;

bash, baste, bat, batter, beat, belabor, belt, bludgeon, buffet, bung, drub, hammer, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lather, lick, mangle, maul, paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, rough, slate, slog, thresh, thump, tromp, whop (or whap), whup, work over;

2

slash

noun

Definition of slash

1 : the act of slashing; also : a long cut or stroke made by or as if by slashing

2 : an ornamental slit in a garment

3 a : an open tract in a forest strewn with debris (as from logging)

b : the debris in such a tract

4 : a mark / used typically to denote "or" (as in and/or), "and or" (as in straggler/deserter), or "per" (as in feet/second) — called also diagonal, slant, solidus, virgule

5 or slash fiction : a genre of fan fiction which features a romantic pairing of two usually male fictional characters who are not romantically connected in the original work of fiction

If women are the prime producers of the stuff, one would imagine that slash would be as full of male-female fantasies as male-male fantasies, but that's not the case.
—Owen Smith

Here's a sampling of Harry Potter slash, taken from a novella called "Irresistible Poison," about a budding romance between Harry and his archenemy Draco Malfoy.
—Christopher Noxon

I don't know whether Moody has read Kirk/Spock slash fiction, either, but I bet he's heard of it …
—Elizabeth Hand

First Known Use of slash

1576

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

3

slash

noun

Definition of slash

: a low swampy area often overgrown with brush

Origin and Etymology of slash

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1652

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

SLASH Defined for English Language Learners

slash

verb

Definition of slash for English Language Learners

: to make a long cut in (something) with a knife or other sharp weapon
: to make (a path) by cutting plants
: to reduce (something) by a large amount

SLASH Defined for Kids

1

slash

verb \ ˈslash \

Definition of slash for Students

slashed; slashing

1 : to cut or strike at with sweeping blows

He slashed the air with his cutlass …
—Jon Scieszka, The Not-So-Jolly Roger

2 : to reduce sharply

The store is slashing prices.

2

slash

noun

Definition of slash for Students

1 : an act of cutting or striking with sweeping strokes

2 : a long cut or slit made with sweeping blows

3 : a mark / used to mean “or” (as in and/or), “and or” (as in bottles/cans), or “per” (as in miles/hour)

Learn More about slash

See words that rhyme with slash Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slash Spanish Central: Translation of slash Nglish: Translation of slash for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slash for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slash

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up slash? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

skirl

play

to emit the high shrill tone of bagpipes

BROWSE DICTIONARY

slare

slargando

slash

slash-and-burn

slash at

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