slather

1 of 2

noun

slath·​er ˈsla-t͟hər 

: a great quantity

—often used in plural

slather

2 of 2

verb

slathered; slathering ˈsla-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈslat͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

1

: to use or spend in a wasteful or lavish manner : squander

2

a

: to spread thickly or lavishly

slathered sunscreen on her skin

b

: to spread something thickly or lavishly on

slathered her skin with sunscreen

Examples of slather in a Sentence

Verb

We ate lobster slathered with butter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The busboy, Oscar, fantasizes about slathering honey over Kelce's bared chest as he is tied to a pole, leaving him to be eaten by a bear. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 July 2026

This August, when the Pirates come to Dodger Stadium, Brockert worked out a deal to partner with a 120-year-old Pittsburgh institution, Isaly’s, to serve a hot dog topped with its signature chopped deli ham slathered in barbecue sauce. — Danny Palumbo, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

This body oil gel from Vaseline is one of my favorites to slather on before lounging by the pool or to add a little glow to my shoulders before dinner. — Iman Balagam, InStyle, 3 July 2026

Seriously, what is better than fresh heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad or a juicy tomato sandwich slathered in Duke's? — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slather

• gather
• lather
• rather